,,GEI%A1 ,A ,,LIFE

           ,,M9EKO ,,IWASAKI
              ) ,R&E ,BR[N

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
       ,ATRIA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK
     ,COPY"R #BJJB 0,M9EKO ,IWASAKI
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,BE? ,GOODMAN1 ,MELODY ,MOORE1
     ,D5ISE ,MANN+1 ,J5NY ,LUKE1 &
            ,B]NICE ,NORMAN
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #AAE-BCF

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJC
                                     ;II
























                   #I               #AAE

  ,! ,IWASAKI ,OKIYA 0 "O BLOCK S\? (
,%9MONZ5 ON ,%9BA%I ,/REET1 ?REE H\SES
EA/ ( ,HANAMIKOJI4 ,"M ,SAKAGU*I LIV$ ON
! O!R SIDE ( ,HANAMIKOJI1 SIX H\SES 6!
WE/ ( U4 ,! IEMOTO'S D.E /UDIO 0 "O
BLOCK WE/ & "O BLOCK NOR? ON ,%9MONZ54
,! ,KABUR5JO ,!AT] 0 SIX BLOCKS 6! S\?4
,:5 ,I 0 A * ,I WALK$ "EY":4
  ,ELEGANT /OREFRONTS L9E ! /REETS (!
,GION1 PROVID+ ! S]VICES T ! 9DU/RY RE-
QUIRES4 ,2SS ! HUNDR$S ( OKIYA & O*AYA1
"! >E FLORI/S & G\RMET %OPS1 >T GALL]IES
& FABRIC /ORES1 HAIR ORNA;T & FAN EMPO-
RIUMS4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD IS D5SE & -PACT4
  ,MY LIFE 2CAME M* BUSI] AF #F-F-F4 ,I
2GAN 6TAKE CALLIGRAPHY LESSONS F A WON-
D];L MAN "N ,UNCLE ,HORI :O LIV$ TWO
H\SES D[N & .KOTO1 S++1 & .SHAMISEN LES-
SONS F 8 DAU<T]1 :O 0 A MA/] (A =M (
.JIUTA 7A /YLE ( S++ & PLAY+ ! SHAMISEN
"PICUL> 6! ,KYOTO >EA7 IMPORTANT 6! ,IN-
\E ,S*OOL4 ,! KOTO & SHAMISEN >E BO?
/R+$ 9/RU;TS T CAME 6,JAPAN F ,*9A4 ,!
KOTO IS A L>GE ?IRTE5-/R+$ LUTE T   #AAF
RE/S ON ! FLOOR :5 PLAY$4 ,! SHAMISEN IS
A SMALL] ?REE-/R+$ 9/RU;T T IS PLAY$ L A
VIOLA4 ,X IS US$ 6A3OMPANY MO/ ( \R
D.ES4
  ,2SS TAK+ DAILY LESSONS1 ,I AL CL1N$ !
TOILETS E MORN+4 ,& ,I W5T 6D.E CLASS E
AFN4
  ,N[ T ,I 0 A BIG GIRL1 ,I _H 6ACT L !
ATOTORI4 ,I WASN'T ALL[$ 6%\T OR USE
RUDE LANGUAGE OR D ANY?+ T 0 UNBEFITT+
6A SU3ESSOR4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA />T$ 6MAKE ME
USE ! DIALECT ( ,GION ,KOBU1 : ,I _H BE5
F]V5TLY RESI/+4 ,N[ %E CORRECT$ ME ALL !
"T4 ,I WASN'T ALL[$ 6R\<H\SE OR RUN >.D4
,P CAU;N$ ME 3/ANTLY AG/ HURT+ MYF OR
BR1K+ "S?+1 ESPECI,Y A LEG OR A H&1 2C X
WD IMPAIR MY B1UTY & MY DANC+4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA 2CAME S]I\S AB T1*+ ME
H[ 6BE H] SU3ESSOR4 ,UNTIL !N ,I _H
PLAY$ 2S H] Z %E W5T AB H] TASKS4 ,N[ %E
/>T$ EXPLA9+ 6ME :AT %E 0 DO+4 ,I />T$
6"U/& :AT 0 GO+ ON & 2GAN 6"PICIPATE 9 !
DAILY R\T9E (! ,IWASAKI OKIYA 9 A M CON-
SCI\S WAY4
  ,MY "DS 2GAN E>LY4 ,I / WOKE UP   #AAG
2F ! RE/ (! H\SEHOLD1 & N[ ,I _H A JOB
6D4 ,:ILE ,I 0 "W+ ON ! TOILETS1 ,KUNIKO
GOT UP 6/>T BR1KFA/ &! MAIDS GOT UP 62G9
_! MORN+ *ORES4
  ,! MAIDS CL1N$ ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA F !
\TSIDE 9W>DS4 ,F/1 !Y SWEPT ! /REET 9
FRONT (! ,IWASAKI OKIYA & !N ! PA? F !
GATE 6! 5TR.EWAY4 ,!Y SPR9KL$ WAT] ON !
PA? & PLAC$ A FRE% C"O ( SALT NEXT 6!
5TR.E (! H\SE 6PURIFY X4 ,NEXT !Y CL1N$
! .GENKAN 75TR.EWAY7 & TURN$ "EY"O'S
S&ALS >.D S T ! %OES 7 FAC+ ! DOOR1 R1DY
6BE WORN 96! \TSIDE _W4 ,9SIDE ! H\SE1 !
MAIDS TIDI$ UP ! ROOMS & PUT AWAY !
ITEMS ALL ( U _H US$ ! NI<T 2F4 ,"EY?+ 0
BACK 9 PLACE 2F ,AUNTIE ,OIMA >OSE4
  ,F9,Y !Y PREP>$ ! ,BU4HI/ ALT> =
,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S MORN+ PRAY]S4 ,!Y DU/$ !
/ATUES1 CL1N$ \ ! 9C5SE BURN]1 4POS$ (!
PREVI\S "D'S (F]+S1 & PUT NEW C&LES 9 !
HOLD]S4 ,!Y DID ! SAME =! ,%9TO %R9E T
SAT ON A RAIS$ %ELF 9 ! CORN] (! ROOM4
  ,P :O LIVE 9 ,GION ,KOBU T5D 6BE V DE-
V\T4 ,\R LIVELIHOOD IS FULLY VE/$ 9 !
RELIGI\S & _SUAL VALUES ON : TRA-   #AAH
DI;NAL ,JAPANESE CULTURE RE/S4 ,PRACTI-
C,Y SP1K+1 \R DAILY LIVES >E CLOSELY IN-
T]WOV5 )! C]EMONIES & FE/IVALS T PUNCTU-
ATE ! ,JAPANESE YE> & WE REPRODUCE !M Z
FAI?;LLY Z POSSI#4
  ,E MORN+1 ^U >IS+ & WA%+ H] FACE1
,AUNTIE ,OIMA W5T 96! ALT> ROOM & SD H]
MORN+ PRAY]S4 ,I TRI$ 6F9I% CL1N+ 9 "T
6SAY !M ) H]4 ,? IS / ! F/ ?+ ,I D 9 !
MORN+4
  ,!N1 9 ! %ORT "T REMA9+ 2F BR1KFA/1
,AUNTIE ,OIMA & ,I GAVE ,BIG ,JOHN A
?OR\< PETT+4 ,0? "T ! APPR5TICES 7 UP &
!Y WD HELP ! MAIDS F9I% _! MORN+ *ORES4
,CL1N+ IS 3SID]$ A VITAL "P (! TRA9+
PROCESS 9 ALL TRADI;NAL ,JAPANESE 4CI-
PL9ES & IS A REQUIR$ PRACTICE = ANY NOV-
ICE4 ,X IS A3ORD$ _SUAL SIGNIFIC.E4
,PURIFY+ AN UNCL1N PLACE IS 2LIEV$ 6PU-
RIFY ! M9D4
  ,AF ! H\SE 0 9 ORD]1 ! MAIKO & GEIKO
2GAN 6WAKE UP4 ,!Y "W$ LATE E NI<T & 7
ALW ! LA/ "OS 6>ISE4 ,_! 9COME 0 SUP-
PORT+ ! RE/ ( U1 S !Y NO L;G] _H 6D ANY
H\SE"W4                             #AAI
  ,ABA >RIV$ & WE _H BR1KFA/4 ,!N "EY"O
W5T H] SEP>ATE WAY4 ,! MAIKO &! GEIKO
W5T 6! ,NYOKOBA = LESSONS OR 6! REHE>SAL
HALL IF !Y 7 TRA9+ =A P]=M.E4 ,! MAIDS
GOT BUSY ) _! REMA9+ DUTIES3 AIR+ ! B$-
D+1 WA%+ ! LAUNDRY1 COOK+1 %OPP+4 ,UNTIL
,I 2GAN S*OOL ! FOLL[+ YE>1 ,I 8HELP$0
,AUNTIE ,OIMA )! MORN+'S BUSI;S4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA & ,ABA SP5T ! MORN+
SORT+ \ ! S*$ULES = ALL ! MAIKO & GEIKO
"U _! MANAGE;T4 ,!Y REVIEW$ ! TALLIES (!
PREVI\S NI<T'S APPO9T;TS1 MADE NOTES (
9COME DUE & 9COME RCVD1 ORGANIZ$ REQUE/S
= APPE>.ES1 & A3EPT$ Z _M 5GAGE;TS Z !
GEIKO'S S*$ULES WD ALL[4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA
DECID$ : CO/UMES EA* MAIKO & GEIKO WD
WE> T EV5+ & ,ABA _H 6SEE 6! COORD9,N &
4POSI;N (! 5SEM#S4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S DESK 0 9 ! D9+ ROOM ON
! O!R SIDE ( H] S1T AT ! BRAZI]4 ,"! 0 A
SEP>ATE L$G] = EA* GEIKO 9 : %E KEPT A
RUNN+ A3.T ( EA* WOMAN'S ACTIVITIES1 IN-
CLUD+ : \TFITS 7 WORN 65T]TA9 : CLI5TS4
,AUNTIE ,OIMA AL NOT$ ANY SPECIFIC
EXP5DITURE MADE ON A WOMAN'S BE-    #ABJ
HALF1 S* Z ! PUR*ASE (A NEW KIMONO OR
OBI4 ,FEES = FOOD & LESSONS 7 FIX$ & DE-
DUCT$ ON A MON?LY BASIS4
  ,MO/ TRADESM5 CAME 9 ! MORN+4 ,M5 7
ALL[$ 9 ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA AF #AJ ,A4,M41
:5 MO/ (! 9HABITANTS _H LEFT4 ,! ICEMAN
BR"\ 9 ! ICE =! ICEBOX4 ,KIMONO SALESM51
CAT]]S1 BILL COLLECTORS1 & O!RS 7 GREET$
9 ! GENKAN4 ,"! 0 A B5* !Y CD SIT ON
:ILE 3DUCT+ BUSI;S4 ,MALE RELATIVES1 L
MY "F1 7 ALL[$ 6-E 9 Z F> Z ! D9+ ROOM4
,ONLY PRIE/S & *N 7 ALL[$ DEEP] 5TRY4 ,N
EV5 ,ABA'S HUSB&1 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S "Y]
BRO!R1 0 FREE 6-E & G AT 8 [N W4
  ,? IS :Y ! :OLE NO;N ( 8GEI%A H\SES0
2+ D5S ( ILL REPUTE IS S RIDICUL\S4 ,M5
>E B>ELY ALL[$ 9SIDE ^! BAS;NS ( FEM99E
SOCIETY1 LET AL"O P]MITT$ 6FROLIC )! IN-
HABITANTS AF !Y >RIVE4
  ,:5 ! EV5+'S S*$ULE 0 SET1 ,AUNTIE
,OIMA GOT DRESS$ 6G \4 ,E "D %E VISIT$ P
6:OM ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA [$ A DEBT ( GRATI-
TUDE3 ! [N]S (! O*AYA & RE/AURANTS ": H]
GEIKO _H P]=M$ ! NI<T 2F1 ! D.E & MUSIC
T1*]S :O TAU<T !M1 ! "MS ( ALLI$    #ABA
OKIYA1 ! LOCAL >TISANS & CRAFTSM5 :O
DRESS$ U4 ,X TOOK ! EF=TS ( _M P 6PRES5T
"O MAIKO OR GEIKO4
  ,? 9=MAL VISIT+ BACK & =? IS PIVOTAL
6! SOCIAL /RUCTURE ( ,GION ,KOBU4 ,X IS
H[ ! 9T]P]SONAL REL,N%IPS ^U : ! SY/EM
DEP5DS >E CULTIVAT$ & MA9TA9$4 ,AUNTIE
,OIMA 2GAN 6TAKE ME ) H] ON H] DAILY R.D
( CALLS Z SOON Z ,I MOV$ IN4 ,%E KNEW T
! 3NEC;NS %E 0 SE$+ 9 ^? MEET+S WD S]VE
ME =! RE/ ( MY PROFES.NAL C>E]1 OR MY
LIFE1 IF ,I *OSE 6SP5D ! RE/ ( X 9 !
,GION Z %E _H4
  ,MO/ (! H\SEHOLD GA!R$ BACK AT ! ,IWA-
SAKI OKIYA = LUN*4 ,WE ATE TRADI;NAL
,JAPANESE F>E 7RICE & FI% & VEGETA#S7 &
ONLY ATE ,WE/]N FOOD L /1K & ICE CR1M :5
WE 7 TAK5 \ 6A TR5DY RE/AURANT =A TR1T4
,LUN* 0 ! MA9 M1L (! "D1 S9CE GEIKO C'T
EAT A H1VY M1L 2F P]=M+ 9 ! EV5+4
  ,MAIKO & GEIKO >E N ALL[$ 6EAT AT A
PRIVATE BANQUET1 NO MATT] H[ SUMPTU\S !
DELICACIES 4PLAY$ 2F !M4 ,!Y >E "! 65T]-
TA9 ! GUE/S1 6GIVE N 6TAKE4 ,AN EXCEP;N
6? RULE IS :5 A GEIKO IS 9VIT$ TO   #ABB
JO9 A CU/OM] =A M1L 9 A RE/AURANT4
  ,AF LUN* ,AUNTIE ,OIMA OR ,KUNIKO H&$
\ ! ASSIGN;TS = T EV5+ 6! ASSEM#D GEIKO4
,!N ! WOM5 8GOT 6"W0 RESE>*+ ! P !Y WD 2
5T]TA9+ T EV5+4 ,IF "O ( H] CU/OM]S 0 A
POLITICIAN %E /UDI$ ! LEGISL,N HE 0
SPONSOR+1 IF "O 0 AN ACTRESS %E R1D AN
>TICLE AB H] 9 A MAGAZ9E1 IF "O 0 A S+]
%E LI/5$ 6HIS RECORDS4 ,OR R1D 8 OR H]
NOVEL4 ,OR /UDI$ ! C.TRY ! GUE/ CAME F4
,WE US$ ALL ! RES\RCES AT \R 4POSAL 6D
?4 ,I SP5T _M AN AFN1 ESPECI,Y :5 ,I 0 A
MAIKO1 9 BOOK/ORES1 LIBR>IES1 & MUSEUMS4
,"Y] GIRLS TURN$ 6_! 8OLD] SI/]S0 = AD-
VICE & 9=M,N4
  ,2SS DO+ RESE>*1 ! GEIKO _H 6PAY _!
C\RTESY CALLS 9 ! AFN1 9 ORD] 6REMA9 ON
GD T]MS )! [N]S (! O*AYA &! S5IOR MAIKO
& GEIKO4 ,IF ANY MEMB] (! -MUN;Y 0 SICK
OR 9JUR$1 PROTOCOL DEM&$ T !Y CALL ON H]
PROMPTLY 6VOICE _! 3C]N4 ,KUNIKO TOOK ME
6MY D.E LESSON MIDAFN4
  ,9 LATE AFN ! MAIKO & GEIKO RETURN$ 6!
,IWASAKI OKIYA 6DRESS1 &! DOORS (!
,IWASAKI OKIYA 7 CLOS$ 6\TSID]S =   #ABC
! RE/ (! "D4 ,! MAIKO & GEIKO TOOK BA?S1
FIX$ _! HAIR1 & PUT ON _! HI<LY /YLIZ$
MAKEUP4 ,!N ! DRESS]S WD >RIVE 6GET !M
96_! CO/UMES4 ,ALL ( \R DRESS]S CAME F !
,SUEHIROYA4
  ,MO/ DRESS]S >E M51 & !Y >E ! "O EX-
CEP;N 6! NO-M5-IN-!-9N]-A"P;TS-(-!-OKIYA
RULE4 ,!Y 7 ALL[$ UP 6! MA9 DRESS+ ROOM
ON ! SECOND FLOOR4 ,2+ A DRESS] IS A
HI<LY SKILL$ PROFES.N1 "O T TAKES YE>S
6MA/]4 ,A GD DRESS] IS CRITICAL 6A GEI-
KO'S SU3ESS4 ,BAL.E IS ESS5TIAL4 ,:5 ,I
DEBUT$ Z A MAIKO1 = EXAMPLE1 ,I WEI<$
#GI P.DS4 ,MY KIMONO WEI<$ #DD4 ,I _H TO
BAL.E ! :OLE GETUP ON #F-9*-HI< WOOD5
S&ALS4 ,IF "O ?+ 0 \ ( PLACE X CD H
SPELL$ 4A/]4
  ,KIMONO >E ALW WORN ) EI WOOD5 OR L1!R
S&ALS4 .,OKOBO1 #F-9*-HI< CLOG-L WOOD5
S&ALS1 >E A 4T9CTIVE "P (A MAIKO'S \T-
FIT4 ,! HEI<T (! S&AL IS A C.T]BAL.E 6!
DANGL+ 5DS (! MAIKO'S L;G OBI4 ,OKOBO >E
DI6ICULT 6WALK IN1 B ! M9C+ GAIT !Y EN-
SURE IS ?"\ 6ADD 6! MAIKO'S ALLURE4
  ,MAIKO & GEIKO ALW WE> :ITE       #ABD
TABI SOCKS4 ,! BIG TOE (! TABI IS SEPA-
RAT$1 L A MITT51 S T ! TOES C GRIP !
S&AL EASILY4 ,WE WE> SOCKS "O SIZE
SMALL] ?AN \R %OE SIZE1 : L5DS A N1T &
DA9TY APPE>.E 6! FOOT4
  ,! .OTOKOSHI 7DRESS]7 ,I 0 GIV5 :5 ,I
0 FIFTE5 0 ! MALE HEIR 6! H\SE (
,SUEHIROYA1 AN E/ABLI%;T T _H BE5 TAK+
C>E (! ,IWASAKI OKIYA = _M YE>S4 ,HE
DRESS$ ME E "D =! FIFTE5 YE>S ( MY C>E]1
EXCEPT =! TWO OR ?REE "TS T HE 0 TOO
SICK 6S]VE4 ,HE KNEW ALL ( MY PHYSICAL
IDIOSYNCRASIES1 L A 4PLAC$ V]TEBRA ,I
ACQUIR$ 9 A FALL T MADE X PA9;L = ME TO
WALK :5 MY KIMONO & NUM]\S A3\TRE;TS 7 N
FITT$ CORRECTLY4
  ,! :OLE PO9T (! GEIKO 5T]PRISE IS P]-
FEC;N1 &! DRESS]'S JOB IS 65SURE T P]-
FEC;N4 ,IF ANY?+ IS MISS+1 SLI<TLY \ (
PLACE1 OR S1SON,Y 9APPROPRIATE1 ! DRESS]
IS ! P]SON :O ULTIMATELY BE>S ! BLAME4
  ,! REL,N%IP GOES F> 2Y ! EXT]NAL4 ,2C
( _! 9TIMATE A3ESS 6! 9T]NAL "W+S (!
SY/EM1 ! DRESS]S H 2COME ! /&>D BROK]S (
V>I\S REL,N%IPS )9 ! KARYUKAI1 S*   #ABE
Z ! ELD]/"Y] SI/] PAIR+S4 ,!Y S]VE Z ES-
CORTS 9 APPROPRIATE SITU,NS4 ,& LA/LY1
!Y >E \R FRS4 ,"O'S DRESS] (T5 2COMES
"O'S 3FIDANT1 A P]SON "O TURNS 6= BRO?-
]LY ADVICE & C\NSEL4
  ,Z ! WOM5 -PLET$ _! PREP>,NS & RUNN]S
>RIV$ ) LA/-M9UTE REQUE/S = APPE>.ES1 !
MAIDS PREP>$ ! 5TR.EWAY =! MAIKO & GEI-
KO'S DE"PURE4 ,!Y SWEPT X ?OR\<LY AG1
SPR9KL$ X ) WAT]1 & REPLAC$ ! PILE (
SALT NEXT 6! 5TRY HALL )A FRE% "O4 ,9 !
E>LY EV5+ ! MAIKO & GEIKO1 RESPL5D5T 9
_! MAGNIFIC5T ATTIRE1 LEFT = _! APPO9T-
;TS4
  ,! H\SE QUIET$ D[N AF !Y LEFT4 ,!
TRA9EES & /AFF ATE D9N]4 ,I PRACTIC$ !
D.E ,I _H LE>N$ T "D1 ! KOTO PIECE ,I 0
"W+ ON1 & MY CALLIGRAPHY4 ,AF ,I />T$
S*OOL ,I AL _H 6D MY HOME"W4 ,TOMIKO
PRACTIC$ ! SHAMISEN & S++4 ,%E / _H TO
SQUEEZE 9 C\RTESY CALLS 6! OCHAYA1 6PAY
RESPECTS 6! OLD] MAIKO & GEIKO :O WD 2
GUID+ H] LAT] ON & 6CURRY FAVOR )! MAN-
AG]S (! T1H\SES ": %E WD 2 "W+4
  ,"! 7 OV] #AEJ O*AYA 9 ,GION      #ABF
,KOBU :5 ,I LIV$ "!4 ,^! ELEGANT1 B1UTI-
;LLY APPO9T$ E/ABLI%;TS 7 BUSY E NI<T (!
WEEK1 PREP>+ & S]V+ ! 3/ANT R.D ( PRI-
VATE "PIES & D9N]S S*$UL$ 0_! SELECT
RO/] ( CU/OM]S4 ,A GEIKO MI<T ATT5D P>-
TIES AT Z _M Z ?REE OR F\R DI6]5T E/AB-
LI%;TS 9 AN EV5+1 5TAIL+ A GRT D1L ( -+
& GO+4
  ,9 ,SEPTEMB] ( #AIFE "! 0 A "PY-L9E
SY/EM 9/ALL$ 9 ! ,GION T L9K$ ALL !
OKIYA & O*AYA4 ,X _H XS [N PH"OS4 ,!Y 7
BEIGE & !Y 7 FREE4 ,(T5 ! H\SE PH"O WD
R+ :ILE ! APPR5TICES 7 DO+ _! HOME"W4 ,X
0 "O (! MAIKO OR GEIKO1 CALL+ F AN
O*AYA1 ASK+ U 6BR+ H] "S?+ %E NE$$ = H]
NEXT 5GAGE;T1 L A FRE% PAIR ( TABI SOCKS
OR A MAIOHGI 6REPLACE "O %E _H GIV5 AWAY
Z A GIFT4 ,NO MATT] H[ SLEEPY !Y W]E1 ?
0 A V IMPORTANT "P ( _! "D4 ,X 0 ! ONLY
WAY !Y GOT 6SEE H[ A "W+ OCHAYA ACTU,Y
FUNC;N$4 ,& X ALL[$ ! P 9 ! OCHAYA & >.D
,GION ,KOBU 62COME FAMILI> )! FACES (!
,IWASAKI APPR5TICES4
  ,I W5T 6SLEEP AT A R1SONA# H\R1 B X 0
WELL AF MIDNI<T 0! "T ! GEIKO &     #ABG
MAIKO RETURN$ HOME F "W4 ,AF *ANG+ \ (
_! "W CLO!S1 ! MAIKO & GEIKO MI<T TAKE A
BA?1 H A SNACK1 & RELAX =A :ILE 2F GO+
6B$4 ,! TWO MAIDS :O SLEPT 9 ! GENKAN
WOKE UP "O AF ! O!R 6TAKE C>E (! GEIKO Z
!Y DRIFT$ IN4 ,!Y N"E LAY D[N 6UN9T]-
RUPT$ SLEEP UNTIL WELL AF TWO O'C 9 !
MORN+4
















                                    #ABH
























                  #AJ               #ABI

  ,D.E CLASS 0 ! HI< PO9T ( MY "D4 ,I
CDN'T WAIT 6GET "! & ALW DRA7$ ON
,KUNIKO'S SLEEVE 6MAKE H] HURRY4
  ,WALK+ 96! /UDIO 0 WALK+ 96ANO!R _W4
,I 0 9 LOVE )! :ISP]+ ( KIMONO SLEEVES1
! LILT+ MELODIES (! /R+S1 ! =MAL;Y1 !
GRACE1 &! PRECI.N4
  ,! G5KAN 0 FLANK$ 0A WALL ( WOOD5 CUB-
BIES4 ,I LIK$ "O BOX 9 "PICUL> & HOP$ X
0 EMPTY S T ,I CD PUT MY .GETA 7TRADI;N-
AL WOOD5 S&ALS7 "!4 ,X 0 ON ! SECOND 6!
TOP R[1 A LL 6! LEFT4 ,I DECID$ T 0 MY
PLACE & 0 \ ( SORTS :5 X WASN'T AVAILA#4
  ,I WALK$ UP/AIRS 6! REHE>SAL ROOMS &
GOT R1DY = MY LESSON4 ,I F/ TOOK MY
MAIOHGI \ ( XS CASE ) MY "R H& & TUCK$ X
96! LEFT SIDE ( MY OBI4 ,) MY H&S POSI-
;N$ FLAT ON MY ?I<S1 F+]S PO9T$ 9W>DS1
,I GLID$ S.D.SLY OV] 6! .FUSUMA 7SLID+
DOOR74 ,! TUBE-L FIT (! KIMONO DICTATES
A 4T9CTIVE WAY ( WALK+1 CULTIVAT$ 9 ALL
WELL-BR$ WOM51 EXA7]AT$ 9 ! D.ER4 ,KNEES
SLI<TLY B5T1 TOES -E (F ! GR.D 9 A SIL5T
PIGEON-TO$ %U6LE T PREV5TS !        #ACJ
FRONT FOLD (! KIMONO F OP5+ & 9DECOR\SLY
REV1L+ A GLIMPSE ( ANKLE OR LEG4 ,! UPP]
HALF (! BODY IS HELD /4
  ,? IS H[ WE >E TAU<T 6OP5 A FUSUMA &
5T] ! ROOM4
  ,SIT D[N 9 FRONT (! DOOR RE/+ BUTTOCKS
ON HEELS1 BR+ ! "R H& UP *E/ HI<1 &
PLACE ! F+]TIPS ( YR OP5 PALM ON ! $GE
(! DOORFRAME OR 9 ! HOLL[1 IF "! IS "O4
,PU% ! DOOR OP5 A FEW 9*ES1 2+ C>E;L N
6LET ! H& CROSS ! MIDL9E (! BODY4 ,BR+ !
LEFT H& UP F ! ?I< & PLACE X 9 FRONT (!
"R4 ,3T9U+ 6RE/ ! "R H& LI<TLY ON ! BACK
(! LEFT WRI/1 SLIDE ! DOOR ACR ! BODY1
CR1T+ AN OP5+ J WIDE 5 6PASS "?4 ,/& UP
& 5T] ROOM4 ,PIVOT1 & SIT D[N FAC+ ! OP5
DOOR4 ,USE ! "R F+]TIPS 6CLOSE ! DOOR 6J
LEFT ( MIDL9E1 !N1 US+ ! LEFT H& SUP-
PORT$ 0! "R1 CLOSE ALL ! WAY4 ,/& UP1
PIVOT1 & G 6SIT 2F ! T1*]4 ,TAKE MAIOHGI
\ ! OBI ) "R H& & PLACE X HORIZONT,Y ON
! FLOOR & B[4
  ,PLAC+ ! MAIOHGI 2T "OF &! T1*] IS A
HI<LY RITUALI/IC ACT1 9DICAT+ T "O IS
L1V+ ! ORD9>Y _W 2H & IS R1DY TO    #ACA
5T] ! R1LM (! T1*]'S EXP]TISE4 ,0B[+1 WE
DCL T WE >E PREP>$ 6RCV :AT ! T1*] IS AB
6IM"P4
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PROCESS ( .MANE1 : IS (T5 TRANSLAT$ Z
IMIT,N1 B LE>N+ 6D.E IS M A PROCESS (
TOTAL ID5TIFIC,N ?AN "O ( SIMPLE COPY+4
,WE REP1T ! MOVE;TS ( \R T1*]S UNTIL WE
C DUPLICATE !M EXACTLY1 UNTIL1 9 A S5SE1
WE H ABSORB$ ! T1*]'S MA/]Y 96\RVS4 ,>-
TI/IC TE*NIQUE M/ 2 FULLY 9TEGRAT$ 96!
CELLS ( \R BODIES IF WE >E 6USE X 6EX-
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YE>S ( PRACTICE4
  ,! ,9\E ,S*OOL HAS HUNDR$S ( D.ES 9 XS
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PATT]NS1 Z OPPOS$ TO1 SAY1 BALLET4 ,& WE
LE>N ! D.ES 0WAT*+4 ,ONCE WE H LE>N$ !
PATT]NS1 H["E1 ! T1*] W 9TRODUCE A NEW
D.E Z A S]IES ( KATA4
  ,KABUKI1 ) : Y MAY 2 FAMILI>1 USES AN
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D5SES -PLEX EMO;NS 96SIMPLE1 DELICATE
MOVE;TS1 PUNCTUAT$ ) DRAMATIC PAUSES4
  ,I _H ! GRT PRIVILEGE ( /UDY+ )!
IEMOTO E "D4 ,AF GIV+ ME V]BAL 9/RUC;NS1
%E PLAY$ ! %AMIS5 & ,I P]=M$ ! PIECE4
,%E CORRECT$ ME4 ,I W5T (F 6PRACTICE ON
MY [N4 ,:5 ,I CD D.E A PIECE 6H] SATIS-
FAC;N %E GAVE ME ANO!R4 ,?US WE ALL
LE>N$ AT \R [N PACE4
  ,"! 7 ?REE O!R 9/RUCTORS :O TAU<T 9 !
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/UD5TS ( H]S4 ,_! "NS 7 T1*] ,KAZUKO1
T1*] ,MASAE1 & T1*] ,KAZUE4 ,WE REF]R$
6! IEMOTO Z 8,BIG ,MI/RESS0 &! O!RS Z
8,LL ,MI/RESS40 ,MI/RESS ,KAZUKO 0 !
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\S IEMOTO4
  ,"S"TS WE _H GR\P LESSONS & "S"TS ,I
TOOK A CLASS ) ANO!R T1*]4 ,I SAT 9 !
/UDIOS = H\RS AT "T & WAT*$ 9T5TLY Z O!R
D.ERS _H _! LESSONS4 ,KUNIKO _H 6TE> ME
\ ( "! :5 X 0 "T 6G HOME4 ,& !N ,I
PRACTIC$ = H\RS 9 ! LIV+ ROOM4      #ACC
  ,! ,9\E ,S*OOL IS1 )\T "Q1 ! MO/ IM-
PORTANT 9/ITU;N 9 ,GION ,KOBU &! IEMOTO1
"!=E1 ! MO/ P[];L P]SON4 ,YET ,9\E
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ONLY "T ,I "E FELT 9TIMIDAT$ 0 :5 ,I AC-
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  ,! IEMOTO 0 REM>KABLY UNATTRACTIVE4
,%E 0 V %ORT1 Q PLUMP1 & _H A FACE L AN
ORANGUTAN4 ,YET %E 2CAME EXQUISITELY
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TRANS=M,N1 : ,I WIT;S$ ?\S&S ( "TS1 0 AN
ELOQU5T /ATE;T (! /YLE'S ABIL;Y 6EVOKE &
EXPRESS B1UTY4
  ,! IEMOTO'S GIV5 "N 0 ,AIKO ,OKAMOTO4
,%E 0 BORN 9 ,GION ,KOBU & 2GAN /UDY+
D.E :5 %E 0 F\R YE>S OLD4 ,H] F/ T1*]
SOON RECOGNIZ$ ! *'S ABIL;Y & BR"\ H]
6,9\E H1DQU>T]S4 ,! PREVI\S IEMOTO1 ,9\E
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,AIKO'S TAL5T & 9VIT$ H] 6JO9 ! MA9 /U-
DIO4
  ,"! >E TWO SEP>ATE CURRICULA 9 !
S*OOL4 ,"O TRA9S PROFES.NAL D.ERS 7MAIKO
& GEIKO7 &! O!R TRA9S PROFES.NAL    #ACD
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WOM5 :O WANT 6/UDY ON AN AMATEUR BASIS4
,AIKO 0 RECRUIT$ =! T1*] DIVI.N4
  ,%E FULFILL$ H] E>LY PROMISE & GREW
96A MA/];L D.ER4 ,AT TW5TY-FIVE1 %E M>-
RI$ ,KUROEMON ,KATAYAMA1 ,9\E ,YA*IYO
,,III'S GR&SON4 ,KUROEMON IS ! IEMOTO (!
,KANSAI BRAN* (! ,KANZE ,S*OOL ( ,NOH !-
AT]4 ,! C\PLE _H ?REE SONS & LIV$ 9 !
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SONS4
  ,9 ! MID-#AIDJ'S ,AIKO 0 *OS5 6SU3E$
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,YA*IYO ,,IV4 7,"M ,SAKAGU*I 0 ON ! BO>D
( REG5TS T 3FIRM$ H] SELEC;N47 ,%E L$ !
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FAVOR (! CURR5T IEMOTO1 H] GR&DAU<T]1
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"ND ,SATO ,9\E >.D #AHJJ4 ,%E 0 A LADY-
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ACE1 AN 9/RUCTOR 6! NO# H\SE ( ,KONOE1
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C\RT RITUAL4
  ,9 #AHFI1 :5 ! IMP]IAL CAPITAL    #ACE
0 MOV$ 6,TOKYO1 ,KYOTO 0 NO L;G] ! PO-
LITICAL C5T] ( ,JAPAN4 ,H["E1 X HAS 3T9-
U$ 6BE ! HE>T (! CULTURAL & RELIGI\S
LIFE (! C.TRY4
  ,! GOV]NOR (! "T1 ,NOBUATSU ,HASE1 &!
C\NSELOR ,MASANAO ,MAKIMURA 5LI/$
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TOR ( ,I*IRIKITEI1 ! MO/ FAM\S OCHAYA 9
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,GION ! C5T]PIECE (! FE/IVITIES & !Y AP-
PROA*$ ! H1D (! ,9\E ,S*OOL = ADVICE &
DIREC;N4 ,H>UKO ,KATAYAMA1 ! ?IRD IEMOTO
(! S*OOL1 PUT TGR A D.E PROGRAM T F1TUR$
! TAL5T$ MAIKO & GEIKO :O 7 H] /UD5TS4
  ,! P]=M.ES 7 S SU3ESS;L T ! GOV]NOR1
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,JAPANESE ? T]M M1NS 8D.ES (! CAPITAL0 B
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SPR+4
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B ,GION ,KOBU ONLY HAS ! ,9\E ,S*OOL4 ,!
GR& MA/] (! ,9\E ,S*OOL IS ! UL-    #ACF
TIMATE >BIT] ( TA/E )9 ! -MUN;Y1 Z WELL
Z ! D.E XF4 ,! MAIKO MAY 2 \R MO/ POT5T
SYMBOL1 B X IS ! IEMOTO :O DECIDES :AT T
SYMBOL W BE4 ,_M (! O!R O3UP,NS 9 !
,GION ,KOBU1 F MUSICAL A3OMPANI/ 6FAN
MAK] 6/AGE H& AT ! ,KABUR5JO !AT]1 TAKE
_! CUES F ! >TI/IC DIREC;N (! H1D (!
,9\E ,S*OOL4 ,! IEMOTO IS ! ONLY P]SON
:O IS ALL[$ 6MAKE ANY *ANGES 6! /&>D
REP]TOIRE (! S*OOL OR *OREOGRAPH NEW
D.ES4
  ,X QKLY 2CAME "KN "?\T ! >EA T ,I 0
TAK+ LESSONS F ! IEMOTO4 ,A BUZZ ( EX-
PECT,N 2GAN 6=M >.D ME T KEPT GR[+ UNTIL
X P1K$ AT ! "T ( MY DEBUT T5 YE>S LAT]4
  ,P TALK 6EA* O!R ALL ! "T 9 ,GION
,KOBU4 ,X IS A BIT L A SMALL VILLAGE ":
"EY"O "KS "EY"O ELSE'S BUSI;S4 ,I AM BY
NATURE V 4CREET1 & ? IS "O (! ?+S ,I F.D
4TA/E;L AB LIV+ "!4 ,B ! FACT IS1 P 7
TALK+ AB ME4 ,I MAY H BE5 ONLY FIVE YE>S
OLD B ,I 0 ALR E/ABLI%+ Q A REPUT,N4
  ,I 0 MAK+ RAPID PROGRESS 9 MY D.E LES-
SONS4 ,X ORD9>ILY TAKES A /UD5T A WEEK
6T5 "DS 6MEMORIZE A NEW D.E1 B X    #ACG
TOOK ME1 ON AV]AGE1 ?REE4 ,I 0 GALLOP+
"? ! REP]TOIRE4 ,X'S TRUE T ,I 0 V DRIV5
& PRACTIC$ M ?AN ! O!R GIRLS1 B X DID
SEEM Z IF ,I 0 B.S$ )A GD D1L ( NATURAL
ABIL;Y4 ,9 ANY EV5T1 DANC+ 0 AN APT VE-
HICLE = MY DET]M9,N & MY PRIDE4 ,I /
MISS$ MY P>5TS T]RIBLY &! D.E 2CAME AN
\TLET = MY P5T-UP EMO;NAL 5]GY4
  ,I P]=M$ 9 PUBLIC =! F/ "T LAT] T SUM-
M]4 ,! IEMOTO'S NONPROFES.NAL /UD5TS PUT
ON AN ANNUAL RECITAL CALL$ ! .,B5T5KAI4
,A * IS N 3SID]$ A PROFES.NAL UNTIL %E
5T]S ! .,NYOKOBA1 ! SPECIAL S*OOL ": WE
TRA9 6BE GEIKO1 AF %E GRADUATES F JUNIOR
HI< S*OOL4
  ,! "N (! PIECE 0 .,%9OBU .,URI 78SELL+
F]NS074 ,"! 7 SIX ( U DANC+ & ,I 0 9 !
MI4LE4 ,AT "O PO9T 9 ! P]=M.E1 ALL ! O!R
GIRLS HELD _! >MS 9 A P>ALLEL POSI;N &
,I _H M9E PO9T$ OV] MY H1D 9 A TRIANGLE4
,F ! W+S1 ,BIG ,MI/RESS /AGE-:ISP]$1
8,KEEP X UP1 ,M9EKO40 ,I ?"\ %E M1NT1
8KEEP GO+10 S ,I 3T9U$1 MOV+ MY >MS 96!
NEXT POSI;N4 ,M1N:ILE1 ALL ! O!R GIRLS
BR"\ _! >MS UP 96TRIANGLES ABV _!   #ACH
H1DS4
  ,:5 WE LEFT ! /AGE1 ,I IMMLY TURN$ ON
! O!R GIRLS4 8,DON'T Y "K T WE >E /UD5TS
(! IEMOTO6 ,WE >E N SUPPOS$ 6MAKE MIS-
TAKES60
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB1 ,M9EKO8 ,Y >E !
"O :O 0 WR;G60
  8,DON'T TRY 6BLAME ME = YR MISTAKES60
,I %OT BACK4 ,X N"E CROSS$ MY M9D T ,I 0
! "O :O _H MESS$ UP4
  ,:5 WE GOT BACK/AGE ,I OV]HE>D ,BIG
,MI/RESS TALK+ 6,"M ,SAKAGU*I 9 M1SUR$
T"OS4 8,PL1SE DON'T 2 UPSET4 ,"!'S NO
NE$ 6PUNI% ANY"O40 ,I ASSUM$ %E 0 TALK+
AB ! O!R GIRLS4
  ,I LOOK$ >.D4 ,"EY"O _H LEFT4
  8,": DID "EYBODY G80
  8,!Y W5T HOME40
  8,:Y80
  8,2C Y MADE A MISTAKE & !N YELL$ AT
!M40
  8,I DIDN'T MAKE A MISTAKE4 ,!Y DID40
  8,NO1 ,M9EKO1 Y'RE WR;G4 ,N[ LI/5 6ME4
,DIDN'T Y HE> ,BIG ,MI/RESS TALK+ 6,"M
,SAKAGU*I8 ,DIDN'T Y HE> H] TELL    #ACI
H] N 6SCOLD Y80
  8,NO1 ,,Y'RE ,,WR;G4 ,%E 0 TALK+ AB !
O!R GIRLS4 ,N ME4 ,%E WASN'T TALK+ AB
ME40
  8,M9EKO6 ,/OP 2+ A /U2ORN LL GIRL40
,KUNIKO N"E RAIS$ H] VOICE4 ,:5 %E DID
,I PD ATT5;N4 8,Y DID A V BAD ?+ & Y H
6G APOLOGIZE 6,BIG ,MI/RESS4 ,? IS V IM-
PORTANT40
  ,I 0 / SURE ,I _HN'T D"O ANY?+ WR;G1 B
,I HE$$ ! W>N+ 9 ,KUNIKO'S VOICE4 ,I W5T
6,BIG ,MI/RESS'S ROOM SIMPLY 6PAY MY RE-
SPECTS & ?ANK H] =! P]=M.E4
  ,2F ,I CD SAY ANY?+1 %E SD 8,M9EKO1 ,I
DON'T WANT Y 6WORRY AB :AT HAPP5$4 ,X'S
RE,Y AL"R40
  8,Y M1N1 UMM '''0
  8,T ?+4 ,X'S N S IMPORTANT4 ,PL1SE J
=GET AB X40
  ,T'S :5 ,I GOT X4 ,I _H MADE A MIS-
TAKE4 ,H] K9D;S ONLY 9T5SIFI$ MY %AME4
,I B[$ & LEFT ! ROOM4'
  ,KUNIKO CAME UP 2H ME4 8,X'S OKAY1
,MINE-*AN1 Z L;G Z Y "U/& & D BETT] NEXT
"T4 ,LET'S PUT X 2H U & G \ 6EAT    #ADJ
T CU/>D40
  ,KUNIKO _H PROMIS$ 6TAKE U ALL \ TO
,PRUNIET'S = CU/>D PU4+ AF ! RECITAL4
  8,NO4 ,I DON'T WANT X ANYMORE40
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS1 CAME UP 6U4
  8,MINE-*AN1 HAV5'T Y G"O HOME YET80
  8,BIG ,MI/RESS4 ,I C'T G HOME40
  8,DON'T WORRY AB X4 ,N[1 G ON HOME40
  8,I C'T40
  8,YES1 YES4 ,DIDN'T Y HE> ME8 ,"!'S
NO?+ 6WORRY AB40
  8,YES40
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS'S ^W 0 ABSOLUTE4
  8,!N LET'S G HOME10 ,KUNIKO SD4
  8,WELL1 WE H 6G "S":4 ,MAYBE WE %D G &
VISIT ,"M ,SAKAGU*I =A :ILE40
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I ALR KNEW ,I MADE A MIS-
TAKE4 ,S T MI<T 2 OKAY4
  ,I NO4$4
  ,WE SLID OP5 ! DOOR & CALL$ \ 8GD
AFN40 ,"M ,SAKAGU*I CAME \ 6GREET U4
  8,H[ NICE 6SEE Y4 ,:AT A GD JOB Y DID
TD1 ,M9EKO60
  8,NO10 ,I MUM#D4 8,I DIDN'T4 ,I 0
T]RI#40                             #ADA
  8,Y W]E8 ,:Y80
  8,I MADE A MISTAKE40
  8,A MISTAKE8 ,":8 ,I DIDN'T SEE ANY
MISTAKES4 ,I ?"\ Y D.ED B1UTI;LLY40
  8,"M1 C ,I /AY "H ) Y80
  8,( C\RSE4 ,B F/ Y H 6G HOME & TELL
,AUNTIE ,OIMA ": Y >E S %E DOESN'T WOR-
RY40
  ,I DRA7$ MY FEET ! :OLE WAY4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA 0 WAIT+ = ME 9 FRONT (!
BRAZI]4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S FACE LIT UP :5 %E SAW
ME4 8,Y'VE BE5 G"O S* A L;G "T6 ,DID Y
/OP AT ,PRUNIET'S =A TR1T8 ,0 X YUMMY80
  ,KUNIKO ANSW]$ = ME4 8,WE /OPP$ 9 AT
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  8,H[ NICE ( Y6 ,I'M SURE T MADE H] V
HAPPY40
  ,! K9D] "EY"O 0 6ME1 ! WORSE ,I FELT
9SIDE4 ,I 0 FURI\S AT MYF & FILL$ )
SELF-LOA?+4
  ,I H1D$ 96! CLOSET4
  ,! NEXT "D ,KUNIKO TOOK ME 6! LL %R9E
AT ! FOOT ( ,TATSUMI ,BRIDGE ": ,I ALW
MET UP )! GIRLS ON ! WAY 6! /U-     #ADB
DIO4 ,!Y 7 ALL "!4 ,I W5T UP 6EA* "O &
B[$4 8,I AM SORRY T ,I MADE A MISTAKE
YE/]"D4 ,PL1SE =GIVE ME40
  ,!Y 7 PRETTY NICE AB X4
  ,! "D AF ANY PUBLIC P]=M.E WE >E RE-
QUIR$ 6PAY A =MAL VISIT 6\R T1*] 6SAY
?ANK Y4 ,ACLY1 WE W5T /RAI<T 6,BIG ,MIS-
RESS'S ROOM :5 WE GOT 6! /UDIO4 ,I HID
2H ! O!R GIRLS4
  ,AF WE B[$ 9 UNISON & SD \R ?ANKS1 !
IEMOTO -PLI;T$ U ON \R P]=M.E ! "D 2F4
8,Y DID A LOVELY JOB4 ,PL1SE KEEP UP !
GD "W 9 ! FUTURE4 ,PRACTICE H>D60
  8,?ANK Y1 ,T1*]10 "EY"O SD4 8,WE W40
  ,"EY"O EXCEPT ME1 T IS4 ,I 0 PRET5D+
6BE 9VISI#4
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6H1VE A SI< ( RELIEF1 %E LOOK$ DIRECTLY
AT ME & SD1 8,M9EKO1 N[ ,I DON'T WANT Y
6WORRY AB :AT HAPP5$ YE/]"D40
  ,I 0 FLOOD$ ) %AME AG & RAN \ 96!
WAIT+ >MS ( ,KUNIKO4
  ,X MAY SEEM T ,BIG ,MI/RESS 0 TRY+ TO
-=T ME4 ,B %E WASN'T4 ,%E WASN'T T K9D (
T1*]4 ,%E 0 S5D+ ME A MESSAGE1      #ADC
L\D & CLE>4 ,%E 0 TELL+ ME T X 0 N P]-
MISSI# 6MAKE MISTAKES4 ,N IF ,I WANT$ TO
2COME A GRT D.ER4





















                                    #ADD
























                  #AA               #ADE

  ,I />T$ ELE;T>Y S*OOL :5 ,I 0 SIX1 A
YE> AF ,I 2GAN D.E LESSONS4 ,2C ! S*OOL
0 9 ,GION ,KOBU1 _M (! PUPILS CAME F
FAMILIES :O 7 DIRECTLY 9VOLV$ 9 !
KARYUKAI4
  ,KUNIKO 0 BUSY HELP+ ,ABA 9 ! MORN+S S
"O ( \R TWO MAIDS1 EI ,KAA*AN OR ,SUZU-
*AN1 TOOK ME 6S*OOL4 7,*AN IS ! UNIV]SAL
DIM9UTIVE 9 ,JAPANESE47 ,! S*OOL 0 TWO
%ORT BLOCKS NOR? (! ,IWASAKI OKIYA1 (F
,HANAMIKOJI4
  ,? 0 ! "T ( "D ,I DID MY 8%OPP+40 ,X 0
SIMPLE1 RE,Y4 ,I W5T 96A /ORE & PICK$ \
:AT ,I WANT$ OR NE$$4 ,! MAID SD1 8,X'S
=! ,IWASAKIS ( ,%9BA%I10 &! %OPKEEP] H&$
ME ! ITEM4 ,A P5CIL4 ,AN ERAS]4 ,A RI2ON
= MY HAIR4
  ,I DIDN'T "K :AT M"OY WAS4 ,= YE>S ,I
2LIEV$ T ALL Y _H 6D 6GET "S?+ 0 6ASK =
X4 ,& IF Y SD1 8,X'S =! ,IWASAKIS (
,%9BA%I10 Y CD GET ANY?+ AT ALL4
  ,0N[ ,I 0 GETT+ US$ 6! FACT T ,I 0
SORT ( AN ,IWASAKI4 ,B !N1 T F/ YE> (
S*OOL1 ,OLD ,M1NIE %[$ UP ON ,P>-   #ADF
5TS' ,"D 9/1D ( MY "M & "F4 ,%E WORE A
LI<T PURPLE KIMONO )A %>KSK9 PATT]N &A
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/R;G P]FUME4 ,E "T %E FLUTT]$ H] FAN A
CL\D ( SC5T WAFT$ 96! ROOM4 ,X 0 V UP-
SETT+4
  ,! NEXT "D MY CLASSMATES CALL$ ME 8,LL
,MISS ,GEIKO0 & SD T ,I 0 ADOPT$4 ,I GOT
ANGRY 2C X WASN'T TRUE4
  ,! NEXT "T "! 0 A P>5TS' FUNC;N AT
S*OOL ,OLD ,M1NIE 0 BUSY & ,KUNIKO CAME
9 H] PLACE4 ,T MADE ME M* HAPPI]4
  ,I LIK$ GO+ 6S*OOL4 ,I LIK$ LE>N+ ?+S4
,B ,I 0 PA9;LLY %Y & KEPT MO/LY 6MYF4 ,!
T1*]S W5T \ ( _! WAY 6PLAY ) ME4 ,EV5 !
PR9CIPAL TRI$ 6COAX ME \ ( MY %ELL4
  ,"! 0 "O LL GIRL :OM ,I LIK$4 ,H] "N 0
,HIK>I1 OR ,SUNB1M4 ,%E 0 EXTRAORD9>Y
LOOK+4 ,H] HAIR 0 GOLD5 BLOND4 ,I ?"\ %E
0 V LOVELY4
  ,HIK>I DIDN'T H ANY FRS EI4 ,I AP-
PROA*$ H] & WE 2GAN 6PLAY TGR4 ,WE SP5T
H\RS :ISP]+ & GI7L+ "U ! G9KGO TREE ON !
PLAYGR.D4 ,I WD H GIV5 ANY?+ =      #ADG
HAIR L H]S4
  ,MO/ "DS ,I TORE \ ( S*OOL Z SOON Z !
BELL RANG1 ANXI\S 6GET 6MY D.E LESSON4
,I _H ! MAID TIDY UP MY DESK = ME & RAN
HOME AH1D ( H]4 ,B ONCE 9 A :ILE ! D.E
T1*]S 7 BUSY ) "S?+ ELSE & WE _H AN AFN
(F4
  ,"O "T :5 ,I WASN'T BUSY ,HIK>I-*AN
9VIT$ ME 6-E OV] AF S*OOL4 ,I 0 SUPPOS$
6G /RAI<T HOME B DECID$ 6G ) H] 9/1D4
  ,KAA*AN CAME 6PICK ME UP T "D4 ,%E 0 A
TATTLETALE :O _H A HABIT ( /1L+ ?+S4
.,D>N1 ,I ?"\4 ..,I GUESS ,I'LL J H TO
TRU/ .H]4 8,KAA*AN1 "!'S "S?+ ,I H 6D4
,PL1SE G H A CUP ( TEA & ,I'LL MEET Y
BACK "H 9 AN H\R4 ,& PROMISE ME Y WON'T
TELL ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4 ,"U/&80
  ,HIK>I-*AN LIV$ AL"O ) H] "M 9 A SK9NY
LL R[ H\SE SURR.D$ 0NEI<BORS4 8,H[ T]RI-
BLY 3V5I5T10 ,I REMEMB] ?9K+1 86H "EY?+
& "EY"O S CLOSE BY40 ,HIK>I'S "M 0 G5TLE
& W>M4 ,%E S]V$ U AN AF-S*OOL SNACK4 ,I
DIDN'T USU,Y EAT SNACKS4 ,MY OLD] BRO!RS
& SI/]S 7 ALW SCRAMBL+ 6GET :AT"E "!
WAS1 S ,I N"E ATE ANY?+4 ,9 ?       #ADH
CASE ,I MADE AN EXCEP;N4
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  ,I W5T BACK 6,KAA*AN & %E TOOK ME
HOME4 ,Z SOON Z WE >RIV$1 X 0 OBVI\S T
NEWS ( MY ":ABS _H PREC$$ ME4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA SCOLD$ ME SEV]ELY4 8,I
=BID Y 6G "! AG10 %E YELL$4 8,D Y "U/&1
"Y LADY8 ,N"E1 "E AG60
  ,I WASN'T 9 ! HABIT ( TALK+ BACK 6H]1
B ,I 0 3FUS$ 0H] ANG] & TRI$ 6EXPLA94 ,I
TOLD H] ALL AB ,HIK>I-*AN1 & H[ SWEET H]
"M WAS1 & H[ !Y LIV$ ) ALL ^! NICE P1 &
:AT A GD "T ,I _H :5 ,I 0 "!4 ,B %E RE-
FUS$ 6LI/5 6ANY?+ ,I _H 6SAY4 ,X 0 MY F/
5C.T] ) PREJUDICE1 & ,I H"O/LY DIDN'T
"U/& X4
  ,"! IS A GR\P ( P 9 ,JAPAN CALL$ !
.BURAKUMIN4 ,!Y >E 3SID]$ UNCL1N & 9F]I-
OR1 "S:AT L ! UNT\*A#S 9 ,9DIA4 ,9 OLD5
"TS ? GR\P TOOK C>E (! D1D & H&L$ O!R
8POLLUT$0 SUB/.ES L BEEF & L1!R4 ,!Y 7 !
"UTAK]S1 ! BUT*]S1 ! %OEMAK]S4 ,!
BURAKUMIN >E NO L;G] Z SEGREGAT$ Z !Y
ONCE W]E1 B 7 / L>GELY 3F9$ 6<ETTOS :5
,I 0 GR[+ UP4                       #ADI
  ,I _H UNWITT+LY CROSS$ A L9E4 ,N ONLY
0 ,HIK>I-*AN AN \TCA/1 B %E 0 AL A HALF-
BRE$1 "F$ \ ( W$LOCK 0AN ,AM]ICAN ,,GI4
,X 0 ALL TOO M* = ,AUNTIE ,OIMA1 :O
CDN'T 3TA9 H] FE> T ,I WD 2 3TAM9AT$ BY
ASSOCI,N4 ,KEEP+ MY REPUT,N UNSULLI$ 0
"O ( H] MAJOR PREO3UP,NS4 ,?US ! HY/]IA
G5]AT$ 0MY 9NOC5T 8TRANSGRES.N40
  ,I 0 V FRU/RAT$ & TOOK MY ANG] \ ON
POOR ,KAA*AN = TATTL+4 ,I'M AFRAID ,I
MADE H] LIFE MIS]A# =A :ILE4 ,B !N ,I
/>T$ 6FEEL SORRY = H]4 ,%E CAME F A POOR
FAMILY & _H LOTS ( BRO!RS & SI/]S4 ,I
CAU<T H] PILF]+ SMALL ITEMS F ! H\SE TO
S5D 6!M4 ,9/1D ( TELL+ ON H]1 ,I GAVE H]
LL PRES5TS S %E WDN'T H 6/1L4
  ,HIK>I-*AN & H] "M MOV$ AWAY SOON AF ?
9CID5T4 ,I (T5 WOND]$ :AT 2CAME ( H]4
  ,B LIFE 0 TOO FULL = ME 6DWELL ON ANY-
?+ = V L;G4 ,:5 ,I 0 SEV5 ,I 2CAME SELF-
3SCI\S (! FACT T ,I 0 A 8V BUSY P]SON40
,I ALW _H "S": 6G1 "S?+ 6D1 "S"O 6SEE4
,I FELT L ,I NE$$ 6F9I% :AT"E ,I 0 DO+ Z
QKLY Z POSSI# & TRA9$ MYF 6BE 9CISIVE &
E6ICI5T4 ,I 0 9 AN ET]NAL RU%4      #AEJ
  ,MY L;GE/ SPR9T (! "D CAME 2T ! 5D (
S*OOL &! 2G9N+ ( D.E CLASS4 ,I GOT \ (
S*OOL AT #B3CJ4 ,D.E LESSONS />T$ AT
#C3JJ & ,I WANT$ 6BE ! F/ "O "!1 0#B3DE
IF POSSI#4 ,S ,I RAC$ BACK 6! OKIYA4
,KUNIKO _H MY D.E CLO!S R1DY & %E *ANG$
ME F ,WE/]N DRESS 96KIMONO4 ,!N ,I BOLT$
\ ! DOOR4 ,KUNIKO1 C>RY+ MY D.E BAG1
TRAIL$ 2H ME4
  ,0? "T ,I _H GR[N V ATTA*$ 6,KUNIKO &
0 Z PROTECTIVE ( H] Z %E 0 ( ME4 ,I HAT$
X :5 P TR1T$ H] L %E 0 9F]IOR4 ,YAEKO 0
! WOR/ (F5D]4 ,%E CALL$ ,KUNIKO UGLY "NS
L 8PUMPK9 FACE0 & 8M.TA9 MONKEY40 ,? IN-
FURIAT$ ME1 B ,I _H NO IDEA H[ 6-BAT X4
  ,X 0 ,KUNIKO'S RESPONSIBIL;Y 6TAKE ME
6D.E CLASS & BR+ ME HOME4 ,%E N"E MISS$
A "D1 NO MATT] H[ BUSY %E 0 AT ! OKIYA4
,I DEVIS$ A :OLE RO/] ( DAILY RITUALS T
,I P]=M$ ON MY WAY 6& F DANC+ S*OOL4
,KUNIKO PATI5TLY 5DUR$ MY R\T9E4 ,"! 7
?REE ?+S ,I _H 6D ON MY WAY 6CLASS4
  ,F/ ,I _H 6TAKE A PIECE ( MOLASSES C&Y
6"M ,SAKAGU*I'S H\SE4 7,I ?"\ UP ? IDEA
0MYF & PUT X 96AC;N47 ,"M ,SAKA-    #AEA
GU*I GAVE ME A SNACK 9 EX*ANGE4 ,I PUT !
SNACK 9 MY BAG = LAT]4
  ,NEXT ,I _H 6/OP AT ! %R9E & SAY A
PRAY]4
  ,?IRD ,I _H 6RUN & PET ,DRAGON1 ! BIG
:ITE DOG :O LIV$ 9 ! FLORI/ %OP4
  ,!N ,I CD G 6CLASS4
  ,KUNIKO 0 ALW WAIT+ 6TAKE ME BACK 6!
OKIYA4 ,I 5JOY$ ! R\TE HOME IMM5SELY4
  ,F/ WE W5T 6! FLORI/ %OP & ,I F$ !
SNACK T ,"M ,SAKAGU*I _H GIV5 ME 6,DRAG-
ON4 ,!N ,I LOOK$ >.D ! /ORE4 ,I LOV$ !
FL[]S 2C !Y REM9D$ ME ( MY "M4 ,! GIRL 9
! %OP LET ME PICK "O \ 9 EX*ANGE = BR++
A TR1T 6,DRAGON4 ,I ?ANK$ H] & BR"\ !
FL[] 6! [N] (! TAKE-\ G\RMET %OP D[N !
BLOCK4 ,9 RETURN1 %E CUT TWO SLICES (
.DASHIMAKI1 A SWEET OMELET MADE 9 ! %APE
(A JELLY ROLL1 & GAVE !M 6ME 6TAKE HOME4
  ,DASHIMAKI 0 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S FAVORITE
SNACK4 ,:5 ,I PR\DLY H&$ H] ! PACKAGE1
%E ALW GR9N$ ) DELI<T & ACT$ SURPRIS$4
,E S+LE "D4 ,!N %E BUR/ 96S;G4 ,"! IS A
S;G %E SANG :5"E %E 0 HAPPY1 A FAM\S
J+LE T GOES .SU-ISU-ISU-            #AEB
DARADATTASURASURASUISUISUI4 ,6FOOL ME1
%E WD SUB/ITUTE AN 9CORRECT 3SONANT & ,I
_H 6CORRECT H] 2F %E WD EAT ! DASHIMAKI4
,!N ,I WD SIT D[N & TELL H] "EY?+ ,I _H
D"O T "D4
  ,! F/ "T ,I _H 6G 6,FAMILY ,C\RT 0 :5
,I 0 9 ! SECOND GRADE4 ,I 0 EI<T YE>S
OLD4 ,OLD ,M1NIE TOOK ME4 ,MY "M & "F 7
"!4 ,2F ,I CD 2 ADOPT$1 ! C\RT _H 6ASC]-
TA9 T ,I WANT$ 62COME AN ,IWASAKI ( MY
[N FREE W4
  ,I 0 -PLETELY TORN & UNA# 6MAKE A DE-
CI.N4 ,! :OLE ?+ 0 S /RESS;L T ,I ?REW
UP VIOL5TLY 9 FRONT ( "EYBODY 9 ! C\RT-
ROOM4 ,I WASN'T YET R1DY 6L1VE MY P>5TS4
  ,! JUDGE SD 8,? * IS OBVI\SLY TOO "Y
6"K :AT %E WANTS 6D4 ,WE H 6WAIT UNTIL
%E IS OLD 5 6"K H] [N M9D40
  ,OLD ,MEANIE TOOK ME HOME 6! OKIYA4





                  #AB               #AEC

  ,MY LIFE 2GAN 6REVOLVE >.D GO+ 6,%9-
MONZ5 & ,I TRI$ 6SP5D Z M* "T 9 ! S*OOL
Z POSSI#4 ,) EA* PASS+ "D ,I 2CAME M
PAS.NATE AB ! D.E & 9CR1S+LY DET]M9$ TO
2COME A TRULY GRT D.ER4
  ,"O "D ,I >RIV$ AT ,%9MONZ5 & HE>D
,BIG ,MI/RESS SP1K+ ) "S"O 9 H] /UDIO4
,I 0 4APPO9T$ 2C ,I LIK$ 6H ! F/ LESSON4
,:5 ,I 5T]$ ! ROOM ,I SAW T ! WOMAN1 ?\<
OLD]1 0 /UNN+4 ,"! 0 "S?+ AB ! WAY %E
C>RI$ H]F4 ,I 0 IMMLY 9TRIGU$4
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS TOLD ME 6JO9 9 ! LESSON4
,! OLD] WOMAN B[$ & WELCOM$ ME4 ,BIG
,MI/RESS TAU<T U A D.E 5TITL$ .,EBONY
.,HAIR4 ,WE PRACTIC$ X Q A FEW "TS4 ,!
WOMAN 0 AN EXQUISITE D.ER4 ,AT F/ ,I
FELT Q SELF-3SCI\S DANC+ ) H] B SOON GOT
LO/ 9 ! FL[ (! MOVE;TS4
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS CRITICIZ$ MY "W1 Z ALW4
8,T'S TOO SL[1 ,MINE-*AN4 ,PICK UP !
TEMPO40 8,YR >MS >E SLOPPY4 ,MAKE !M
TI<T]40 ,B %E DIDN'T SAY "O ^W 6! O!R
WOMAN4
  ,AF WE F9I%$ ,BIG ,MI/RESS IN-    #AED
TRODUC$ ME 6! GUE/4 ,H] "N 0 ,HAN ,TAKE-
H>A4
  ,MADAME ,TAKEH>A 0 3SID]$ "O (! GRTE/
D.ERS ( H] G5],N4 ,%E 0 A MA/] 9 A NUMB]
( DI6]5T S*OOLS :O P5ETRAT$ 6! CORE (!
M$IUM 0PIONE]+ AN 9NOVATIVE /YLE ( H]
[N4 ,I 0 PRIVILEG$ 6H D.ED 2S H]4
  ,F ! "T ,I 0 LL1 ,I LOV$ 6OBS]VE A3OM-
PLI%$ D.ERS & S"\ ! OPPORTUN;Y 6/UDY )
!M :5"E POSSI#4 ,? IS "O (! R1SONS ,I
SP5T S M* "T AT ,%9MONZ51 2C D.ERS CAME
F ALL OV] ,JAPAN 6/UDY )! IEMOTO4 ,"S (!
WOM5 :OM ,I MET 9 ^? E>LY YE>S >E N[ !
IEMOTO ( _! [N S*OOLS4 ,( C\RSE1 ,I AL
SP5T C.T.S H\RS OBS]V+ ,9\E T1*]S & /U-
D5TS AT _! LESSONS4
  ,A FEW MON?S AF MY F/ 7FLAW$7 RECITAL1
,I 0 *OS5 6D.E A *'S ROLE 9 ! ,ON%UKAI
,D.ES T TOOK PLACE T FALL4 ,? 0 ! F/ "T
,I APPE>$ ON A PUBLIC /AGE4 ,I D.ED 9 !
,MIYAKO ,ODORI ! FOLL[+ SPR+1 & 3T9U$ TO
D.E *N'S ROLES UNTIL ,I 0 ELEV54 ,2+ ON
/AGE 0 A GRT $UC,N1 2C ,I GOT 6FEEL &
EXP]I;E ! D.ERS UP CLOSE4
  ,UNBE"KN/ 6ME1 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA      #AEE
9VIT$ MY P>5TS 6ATT5D E "O ( MY P]=M.ES1
&1 Z F> Z ,I "K1 !Y ALW CAME4 ,MY EYE-
SI<T 0 S POOR T ,I CDN'T PICK \ 9DIVIDU-
ALS 9 ! AUDI;E1 B "SH[ ,I ALW KNEW !Y 7
"!4 ,L LL *N "EY":1 MY HE>T CRI$ \ 6!M1
8,LOOK AT ME1 ,MOM & ,DAD6 ,LOOK AT ME
D.E6 ,>5'T ,I GETT+ GD80
  ,WE H S*OOL ON ,SATUR"D 9 ,JAPAN1 S
,SUN"D 0 MY ONLY "D (F4
  ,9/1D ( SLEEP+ IN1 ,I GOT UP E>LY &
RAN OV] 6,%9MONZ51 2C X 0 S M* FUN = ME
6*ECK \ :AT ! IEMOTO &! LL MI/RESSES DID
9 ! MORN+4 ,"S "DS ,I GOT "! AT SIX
,A4,M46 7,I SD MY PRAY]S & CL1N$ ! TOI-
LETS AF ,I GOT BACK F ! /UDIO47 ,*N'S
CLASSES />T$ AT EI<T O'C ON ,SUN"D1 S ,I
_H PL5TY ( "T 6FOLL[ ! LL MI/RESSES &
WAT* :AT !Y 7 DO+4
  ,! F/ ?+ ,BIG ,MI/RESS DID 0 SAY H]
PRAY]S1 J L ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4 ,:ILE %E 0 9
! ALT> ROOM1 ! LL MI/RESSES CL1N$ !
S*OOL4 ,!Y WIP$ D[N ! WOOD SURFACES (!
/AGE &! L;G CORRIDORS ) RAGS & SCRU2$ !
TOILETS4 ,I 0 IMPRESS$4 ,EV5 ?\< !Y 7 MY
T1*]S !Y _H 6FOLL[ ! SAME R\T9E     #AEF
,I DID1 2C !Y 7 / 4CIPLES ( ,BIG ,MIS-
TRESS4
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS &! LL MI/RESSES ATE
BR1KFA/ TGR4 ,!N ,BIG ,MI/RESS GAVE
LESSONS 6! LL MI/RESSES & ,I GOT 6WAT*4
,? 0 ! HI<LI<T ( MY WEEK4
  ,I AL 5JOY$ ! SUMM]S1 : 9 ,KYOTO >E
HOT & HUMID4 ,Z "P ( MY TRA9+1 E SUMM]
"D ,I _H 6SIT 2H ,BIG ,MI/RESS & COOL H]
)A BIG R.D PAP] FAN4 ,I LOV$ ! JOB4 ,X 0
A P]FECT *.E 6WAT* H] GIV+ LESSONS1 UN9-
T]RUPT$1 = L;G /RET*ES ( "T4 ,! O!R
GIRLS DIDN'T L 6D X M*1 B ,I 0 A# 6SIT
"! = H\RS4 ,EV5TU,Y ,BIG ,MI/RESS WD
MAKE ME TAKE A BR1K4 ,! O!R GIRLS PLAY$
PAP]/SCISSORS/ROCK 6DECIDE :O GOT ! NEXT
TURN4 ,T5 M9UTES LAT] ,I 0 BACK 6/>T
FANN+ AG4
  ,AL;G )! D.E1 ,I 0 "W+ H>D ON MY MU-
SIC4 ,:5 ,I 0 T5 YE>S OLD ,I PUT AWAY !
KOTO & 2GAN 6/UDY ! SHAMISEN1 A /R+$ IN-
/RU;T T HAS A SQU>E BODY &A L;G NECK &
IS PLAY$ )A PLECTRUM4 ,SHAMISEN MUSIC IS
! CU/OM>Y A3OMPANI;T 6,KYOTO-/YLE D.E1
9CLUD+ ! ,9\E ,S*OOL4 ,/UDY+ !      #AEG
MUSIC HELP$ ME "U/& ! SUBTLE RHY?MS (!
MOVE;T4
  ,"! >E TWO ^WS T M1N D.E 9 ,JAPANESE4
,"O IS .MAI &! O!R IS .ODORI4
  ,MAI IS 3SID]$ SANCTIFI$ MOVE;T1 & IS
DERIV$ F ! SACR$ D.ES ( ,%R9E MAID5S T H
BE5 P]=M$ S9CE ANCI5T "TS Z (F]+S 6!
GODS4 ,X C ONLY 2 P]=M$ 0P :O >E SPECIF-
IC,Y TRA9$ & AU?ORIZ$ 6D S4 ,ODORI1 ON !
O!R H&1 IS D.E T CELEBRATES ! VICISSI-
TUDES ( HUMAN LIFE2 T -MEMORATES JOY\S
O3A.NS & SOLEMNIZES SAD "OS4 ,X IS ! K9D
( D.E -MONLY SE5 DUR+ ,JAPANESE FE/I-
VALS1 & C 2 P]=M$ 0ANY"O4
  ,"! >E ONLY ?REE =MS ( D.E T >E T]M$
MAI3 .MIKOMAI1 D.ES (! ,%9TO %R9E MAID-
5S1 .BUGAKU1 D.ES (! IMP]IAL C\RT1 &
.NOH .MAI1 D.ES (! ,NOH DRAMA4 ,KYOTO-
/YLE D.E IS MAI1 N ODORI4 ,! ,9\E ,S*OOL
IS SPECIFIC,Y ASSOCIAT$ ) NOH MAI & IS
/YLI/IC,Y SIMIL>4
  ,0! "T ,I 0 T5 ,I 0 AW>E ( ^! 4T9C;NS4
,I 0 PR\D T ,I 0 A D.ER ( MAI &A MEMB] (
! ,9\E ,S*OOL4 ,I 0 P]H A LL TOO PR\D4
,I 2CAME A R1L /ICKL] = DETAIL4     #AEH
  ,"O COLD W9T] "D ,I >RIV$ FREEZ+ AT !
/UDIO & W5T 6! HIBA*I 6W>M UP4 ,"! 0 A
TE5AGE GIRL 9 ! ROOM :OM ,I _H N"E SE5
2F4 ,I CD TELL 0H] HAIR/YLE & :AT %E 0
WE>+ T %E 0 A SHIKOMISAN4
  .,SHIKOMISAN IS ! T]M US$ = "S"O :O IS
9 ! F/ /AGE ( APPR5TICE%IP 62COME A
GEIKO1 SPECIFIC,Y "O :O IS "U 3TRACT 6AN
OKIYA4 ,I1 = EXAMPLE1 0 N"E CALL$ A
SHIKOMISAN 2C ,I 0 AN ATOTORI4
  ,! SHIKOMISAN 0 SITT+ 9 ! COLDE/ "P (!
ROOM1 NE> ! DOOR4 8,-E SIT NEXT 6!
FIRE10 ,I TOLD H]4 8,:AT'S YR "N80
  8,TAZUKO ,MEKUTA40
  8,I'LL CALL Y ,MEKU-*AN40
  ,I ?"\ %E 0 PROBABLY FIVE OR SIX YE>S
OLD] ?AN ,I4 ,B 9 ! ,9\E ,S*OOL S5IOR;Y
IS DET]M9$ 0DATE ( MATRICUL,N N BIOLOGI-
CAL AGE4 ,S %E 0 MY 8JUNIOR40
  ,I TOOK (F MY TABI4 8,MEKU-*AN1 MY LL
TOE IT*ES40
  ,I /UCK \ MY FOOT & %E RESPECT;LLY
/ROK$ X4
  ,MEKU-*AN 0 SWEET & G5TLE & _H ! MO/
/RIK+ EYES4 ,%E REM9D$ ME ( MY      #AEI
OLD] SI/] ,YUKIKO4 ,I 9/ANTLY FELL 9
LOVE4
  ,UN=TUNATELY1 %E DIDN'T ATT5D ! S*OOL
= V L;G4 ,I MISS$ H] & 0 HOP+ 6F9D ANO!R
FR L H]4 ,S ,I 0 EXCIT$1 LAT] T W9T]1 :5
,I W5T 6! HIBA*I & SAW A NEW GIRL AB
,MEKU-*AN'S AGE SITT+ "!4 ,B ? GIRL 0
ALR NE/L$ UP 6! BRAZI] & IGNOR$ ME :5 ,I
CAME 96! ROOM4 ,%E DIDN'T EV5 SAY HELLO4
,S9CE %E 0 ! NEWCOM]1 ? 0 9EXCUSABLY
RUDE4
  8,Y C'T SIT NEXT 6! HIBA*I10 ,I F9,Y
SD4
  8,& :Y N80 %E RESPOND$1 9DI6]5TLY4
  8,:AT'S YR "N ANYWAY80 ,I ASK$4
  8,MY "N'S ,TO%IMI ,SUGANUMA40 ,%E
DIDN'T SAY 8,H[ D Y D80
  ,I 0 ANNOY$1 B ,I AL FELT X 0 MY RE-
SPONSIBIL;Y Z H] 8S5IOR0 6MAKE H] A GIFT
( MY SUP]IOR K & EXPLA9 H[ WE DID ?+S "H
9 ! ,9\E ,S*OOL4
  ,I TRI$ 6MAKE A PO9T4
  8,:5 DID Y />T TAK+ LESSONS80
  ,I WANT$ H] 6R1LIZE T ,I _H BE5 "!
L;G] ?AN %E _H & T %E 0 SUPPOS$     #AFJ
6TR1T ME ) RESPECT4
  ,B %E DIDN'T "U/&4 8,OH1 ,I DUNNO4 ,A
:ILE AGO1 ,I GUESS40
  ,I 0 TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :AT 6SAY 6MAKE H]
"U/& H] DEFICI5CIES :5 %E 0 CALL$ AWAY
6H] LESSON4
  ,? 0 A R1L PRO#M4 ,I WD H 64CUSS X )
,AUNTIE ,OIMA4
  ,I LEFT S*OOL Z SOON Z MY LESSON 0 OV]
& A3OMPLI%$ MY DOG1 FL[]1 DASHIMAKI R\-
T9E Z QKLY Z POSSI#4 ,I RAN ! RE/ (! WAY
HOME4
  ,I GAVE ! DASHIMAKI 6,AUNTIE ,OIMA4
,%E LOOK$ L %E 0 AB 6S+1 B ,I /OPP$ H]4
8,DON'T D .SUISUI TD4 ,I H A PRO#M & ,I
NE$ 6TALK 6Y40 ,I EXPLA9$ MY PREDICA;T 9
GRT DETAIL4
  8,M9EKO1 ,TO%IMI IS GO+ 6MAKE H] DEBUT
2F Y1 S %E W 2 "O ( YR BIG SI/]S "O "D4
,? M1NS Y H 6RESPECT H]4 ,& 2 NICE 6H]4
,"! IS NO R1SON = Y 6TELL H] :AT 6D4
,I'M SURE T ,BIG ,MI/RESS W T1* ,TO%IMI
"EY?+ T %E NE$S 6"K4 ,X'S N YR RESPONSI-
BIL;Y40
  ,I =GOT AB ? 9CID5T UNTIL YE>S    #AFA
LAT]4 ,SOON AF MY DEBUT Z A MAIKO ,I 0
CALL$ 65T]TA9 AT A BANQUET4 ,YURIKO
7,MEKU-*AN7 & ,TO%IMI1 BO? ( :OM _H BE-
-E TOP-CLASS GEIKO1 7 9 ATT5D.E4 ,!Y
JOK$ GD-NATUR$LY AB H[ SELF-IMPORTANT ,I
_H BE5 :5 ,I 0 A LL GIRL4 ,I TURN$ B"R
R$ F EMB>RASS;T4 ,H["E1 !Y DIDN'T HOLD X
AG/ ME4 ,BO? 2CAME IMPORTANT M5TORS 6ME
9 ! -+ YE>S4 ,YURIKO 2CAME "O ( MY ONLY
FRS4
  ,REL,N%IPS 9 ,GION ,KOBU LA/ A L;G "T1
& H>MONY IS PRIZ$ ABV ANY O!R SOCIAL
VALUE4 ,?\< "*I/IC ( ,JAPANESE SOCIETY Z
A :OLE1 ! EMPHASIS ON P1CE;L COEXI/;E IS
EV5 M PRON\NC$ 9 ! KARYUKAI4 ,I 2LIEVE T
"! >E TWO R1SONS = ?4 ,! F/ IS T \R
LIVES >E S 9T]TW9$4 ,P H NO *OICE B 6GET
AL;G4
  ,! O!R R1SON IS 9 ! NATURE (! 5T]-
PRISE4 ,MAIKO & GEIKO 5T]TA9 P[];L P F E
QU>T] ( SOCIETY & F ALL OV] ! _W4 ,WE >E
DE FACTO DIPLOMATS :O H 6BE A# 6-MUNI-
CATE ) ANY"O4 ,B ? DOESN'T M1N WE >E
DOORMATS4 ,WE >E EXPECT$ 6BE %>P-WITT$ &
9SI<T;L4 ,OV] "T1 ,I LE>N$ H[ TO    #AFB
EXPRESS MY ?"\S & OP9IONS )\T CAUS+ (-
F5SE 6O!RS4






















                  #AC               #AFC

  ,:5 ,I TURN$ T5 9 ,NOVEMB] ( #AIEI ,I
_H 6APPE> 9 ,FAMILY ,C\RT AG4 ,OLD ,M1N-
IE TOOK ME4 ,MY P>5TS 7 "! :5 ,I >RIV$4
,I _H A LAWY] ^: "N 0 ,MR4 ,KIKKAWA4 ,HE
_H GR1SY HAIR B 0 ! BE/ LAWY] 9 ,KYOTO4
  ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6TELL ! JUDGE ": ,I WANT$
6LIVE4
  ,! T5.N ( HAV+ 6MAKE ! *OICE 0 UNBE>A-
#4 ,:5"E ,I ?"\ AB MY P>5TS MY HE>T A*$4
,MY "F L1N$ OV] T[>D ME & SD1 8,Y DON'T
H 6D X1 ,MASAKO4 ,Y DON'T H 6/AY ) !M IF
Y DON'T WANT TO40 ,I NO4$4 ,& !N X HAP-
P5$ AG4 ,I ?REW UP "R "! 9 ! C\RTROOM4
  ,? "T ! JUDGE DIDN'T /OP ! PROCE$+S4
  ,9/1D1 HE LOOK$ ME 9 ! EYE & ASK$ PO9T
BLANK4
  8,: FAMILY D Y WANT 62L;G TO1 ! ,TANA-
KAS OR ! ,IWASAKIS80
  ,I /OOD UP1 TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 & SD 9 A
CLE> VOICE1 8,I'M GO+ 62L;G 6! ,IWA-
SAKIS40
  8,>E Y ABSOLUTELY SURE T IS :AT Y
WANT80
  8,YES1 ,I AM40                    #AFD
  ,I _H ALR MADE UP MY M9D :AT ,I 0 GO+
6SAY B ,I FELT AW;L :5 ! ^WS CAME \ ( MY
M\?4 ,I FELT T]RI# AB HURT+ MY P>5TS4 ,B
,I SD :AT ,I SD 2C ,I LOV$ 6D.E4 ,T IS
:AT TIPP$ ! BAL.E 9 ! ,IWASAKIS' FAVOR4
,! D.E _H 2COME MY LIFE1 & ,I CDN'T
IMAG9E GIV+ X UP = ANY?+ OR ANY"O4 ,!
R1SON ,I DECID$ 62COME AN ,IWASAKI 0 S T
,I CD 3T9UE LE>N+ 6D.E4
  ,I WALK$ \ (! C\RTROOM 2T MY P>5TS1
HOLD+ TI<TLY ONTO EA* "O'S H&4 ,I FELT
S* GUILT AT MY 2TRAYAL T ,I CDN'T BE> TO
LOOK AT EI ( !M4 ,I 0 CRY+4 ,\ (! CORN]
( MY EYE ,I SAW T MY P>5TS _H TE>S RUNN+
D[N _! FACES4
  ,OLD ,M1NIE HAIL$ A CAB &! F\R ( U W5T
BACK 6! OKIYA4
  ,MY "F TRI$ 6-=T ME4 8,MAYBE ? IS ALL
=! BE/1 ,MA-*AN10 HE SD4 8,I AM SURE Y
>E HAV+ M FUN LIV+ AT ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA
?AN Y WD AT HOME4 ,"! >E S _M 9T]E/+ ?+S
= Y 6D "!4 ,B IF Y "E D WANT 6-E HOME1
LET ME "K & ,I W -E GET Y4 ,ANY"T4 ,"D
OR NI<T4 ,J CALL ME40
  ,I LOOK$ AT HM & SD1 8,I'VE       #AFE
DI$40
  ,MY P>5TS TURN$ 6L1VE & WALK$ AWAY4
,!Y 7 BO? WE>+ KIMONO4 ,Z _! OBIS REC$$
96! 4T.E ,I CRI$ \ 8,DAD6 ,MOM60 9 MY
HE>T4 ,B ! ^WS N"E MADE X PA/ MY LIPS4
  ,MY "F TURN$ BACK 6LOOK AT ME4 ,I F"\
MY TEMPT,N 6RUN AF HM &1 SMIL+ "? MY
TE>S1 SADLY WAV$ GDBYE4 ,I _H MADE MY
*OICE4
  ,T NI<T ,AUNTIE ,OIMA 0 EC/ATIC4 ,X 0
(FICIAL4 ,I 0 N[ ! ,IWASAKI SU3ESSOR4
,:5 ! PAP]"W 0 F9I%$ ,I WD 2COME ! AP-
PO9T$ HEIR4 ,WE _H A HUGE D9N]1 -PLETE )
FE/IVE DI%ES L SEA BR1M & R$ B1N RICE &
EXP5SIVE F>E L /1K4 ,_M P CAME 6(F] _!
3GRATUL,NS & BR"\ ME GIFTS4
  ,! "PY W5T ON = H\RS4 ,I CDN'T /& X
ANY L;G] & W5T 96! CLOSET4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA
CDN'T /OP S++ .SUISU-ISU-
DARARATTASURASURASUISUISUI4 ,EV5 ,OLD
,M1NIE 0 LAU<+ \ L\D4 ,"EY"O 0 OV]JOY$3
,ABA1 ,"M ,SAKAGU*I1 ! OKASAN (! BRAN*
H\SES4 ,EV5 ,KUNIKO4
  ,I _H J SD GD-BYE 6MY "M & "F4 ,= GD4
,I CDN'T 2LIEVE "EY"O SAW ? Z A     #AFF
CAUSE = CELEBR,N4 ,I 0 EXHAU/$ & MY M9D
0 A -PLETE BLANK4 ,)\T ?9K+1 ,I TOOK "O
(! BLACK VELVET RI2ONS F MY HAIR1 WRAPP$
X >.D MY NECK1 PULL$ Z H>D Z ,I CD1 &
TRI$ 6KILL MYF4 ,X DIDN'T "W4 ,F9,Y1
FRU/RAT$1 ,I GAVE UP & 4SOLV$ 96A PU4LE
( TE>S4
  ,! NEXT MORN+ ,I HID ! BRUISE ON MY
NECK & DRA7$ MYF 6S*OOL4 ,I FELT -PLETE-
LY EMPTY4 ,I "SH[ MADE X "? T MORN+ &
=C$ MYF 6G 6D.E CLASS4
  ,:5 ,I GOT "!1 ,BIG ,MI/RESS ASK$ ME :
D.E WE 7 "W+ ON4 8.,YOZAKURA ,7,8*]RY
BLOSSOMS AT NI<T0'7'10 ,I REPLI$4
  8,ALL "R !N1 %[ ME :AT Y REMEMB]40
  ,I 2GAN 6D.E4
  ,%E 2GAN1 /]NLY1 6SCOLD ME4 8,NO1 T'S
WR;G1 ,M9EKO4 ,& T4 ,& T6 ,/OP X ,M9EKO1
:AT IS WR;G ) Y TD8 ,/OP X6 ,/OP "R N[1
D Y HE> ME8 ,& DON'T Y D>E CRY4 ,I C'T
/& LL GIRLS :O CRY4 ,Y >E 4MISS$60
  ,I CDN'T 2LIEVE X4 ,I _H NO IDEA :AT
,I _H D"O WR;G4 ,I WASN'T CRY+1 B ,I 0
?OR\<LY 3FUS$4 ,I KEPT APOLOGIZ+ B %E
WDN'T ANSW] ME S F9,Y ,I LEFT4      #AFG
  ,I _H J RCVD MY F/1 DR1D$1 .,,OTOME1 &
,I _H NO IDEA :Y4
  .,OTOME1 : M1NS 8,/OP60 IS A PUNI%;T
UNIQUE 6! ,9\E ,S*OOL4 ,:5 ! T1*] GIVES
Y AN OTOME Y H 6IMMLY /OP & L1VE ! /U-
DIO4 ,& %E DOESN'T TELL Y :5 Y W 2 ALL[$
6RETURN1 MAK+ X AN 9DEF9ITE SUSP5.N4 ,!
IDEA T ,I MI<T 2 =BI45 63T9UE DANC+ 0
UNBE>ABLY /RESS;L4
  ,I DIDN'T WAIT = ,KUNIKO B WALK$ HOME
0MYF & W5T /RAI<T 96! CLOSET1 )\T SAY+
ANY?+ 6ANYBODY4 ,I 0 MIS]A#4 ,F/ ! C\RT-
ROOM & N[ ?4 ,:Y 0 ,BIG ,MI/RESS S AN-
GRY8
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA CAME 6! CLOSET DOOR4
  8,:AT HAPP5$1 ,MINE-*AN8 ,:Y DID Y -E
HOME 0YRF80
  8,MINE-*AN1 W Y 2 HAV+ D9N]80
  8,MINE-*AN1 WD Y L 6TAKE A BA?80
  ,I REFUS$ 6ANSW]4
  ,I HE>D "O (! ,SAKAGU*I MAIDS -E 96!
ROOM4 ,%E SD T ,"M ,SAKAGU*I NE$$ 6SEE
,AUNTIE ,OIMA "R AWAY4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA
HURRI$ (F4
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I CAME "R 6! PO9T4    #AFH
8,WE H A BIT (A CRISIS4 ,MS4 ,AIKO J
CALL$4 ,APP>5TLY H] ASSI/ANT MIX$ UP !
TITLES ( TWO PIECES1 "O T ,M9EKO J F9I%$
& "O T %E IS LE>N+4 ,MISS ,KAWABATA TOLD
,M9EKO T .,SAKURAMIYOTOTE ,78*]RY
BLOSSOM VIEW+07' 0 .,YOZAKURA ,78*]RY
BLOSSOMS AT NI<T07' & VICE V]SA4 ,S
,M9EKO D.ED ! WR;G D.E TD & ,AIKO GAVE
H] AN OTOME4 ,IS ,M9EKO OKAY80
  8,S T'S :AT HAPP5$4 ,NO1 %E'S N OKAY4
,%E'S 9 ! CLOSET & WON'T TALK 6ME4 ,I
?9K %E'S RE,Y UPSET40
  8,:AT >E WE GO+ 6D IF %E ?R1T5S TO
QUIT80
  8,WE'LL H 63V9CE H] N TO40
  8,G HOME & D YR BE/ 6GET H] \ (!
CLOSET40
  ,I 3CLUD$ T ,I M/ H GOTT5 ! OTOME 2C
,I WASN'T TRY+ H>D 5\<1 T ,I SIMPLY _H
6D BETT]4 ,S1 "R "! 9SIDE ! CLOSET1 ,I
/>T$ 6REHE>SE ! D.E ,I 0 LE>N+ &! D.E ,I
_H J F9I%$4 ,I PRACTIC$ !M = H\RS4 ,I
KEPT TELL+ MYF 63C5TRATE4 ..,IF ,I D.E
^! P]FECTLY TM1 ,BIG ,MI/RESS W 2 S
SURPRIS$ T MAYBE %E W =GET AB !     #AFI
.OTOME4
  ,B1 Z ) _M ?+S 9 ,GION ,KOBU1 X 0 N S
SIMPLE4 ,I CDN'T J G BACK 6CLASS Z IF
NO?+ _H HAPP5$4 ,X DIDN'T MATT] ^: FAULT
X WAS4 ,I _H GOTT5 ! OTOME S MY ELD]S _H
6PETI;N = MY 3T9U$ 5ROLL;T4 ,(F WE
TROOP$ 6,%9MONZ54 ,"M ,SAKAGU*I1 ,AUNTIE
,OIMA1 ,MI/RESS ,KASAMA1 ,OLD ,M1NIE1
,YAEKO1 ,KUN-*AN & ME4
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I B[$ & A4RESS$ ,BIG ,MIS-
TRESS4 8,I AM S SORRY =! UN=TUNATE SITU-
,N T O3URR$ YE/]"D4 ,WE 5TR1T Y 6LET \R
,M9EKO REMA9 A /UD5T 9 YR E/EEM$ S*OOL40
  ,NO "O SD A ^W AB :AT _H ACTU,Y HAP-
P5$4 ,! R1SON WASN'T IMPORTANT4 ,:AT 0
IMPORTANT 0 T "EY"O SAVE FACE & T ,I 2
ALL[$ 63T9UE MY TRA9+ )\T 9T]RUP;N4
  8,V WELL1 ,"M ,SAKAGU*I1 ,I W D Z Y
ASK4 ,M9EKO1 PL1SE %[ U :AT Y >E "W+
ON40
  ,I D.ED .,*]RY .,BLOSSOM .,VIEW+4 ,&
!N1 )\T 2+ ASK$1 ,I D.ED ..,*]RY ,BLOS-
SOMS AT .,NI<T4 ,I DID WELL4 ,:5 ,I F9-
I%$1 ! ROOM 0 QUIET4 ,I LOOK$ >.D AT !
MIXTURE ( EMO;NS ON ! WOM5'S        #AGJ
FACES4
  ,X /RUCK ME T ! ADULT _W 0 A V -PLI-
CAT$ PLACE4
  ,I N[ "U/& T ,BIG ,MI/RESS EMPLOY$ !
OTOME Z A P[];L T1*+ TOOL4 ,%E GAVE ME
AN OTOME :5"E %E WANT$ 6=CE ME 6PU% "?
6! NEXT LEVEL ( >TI/RY2 %E 3SCI\SLY US$
! T]ROR (! OTOME 6GALVANIZE MY _S4 ,X 0
A TE/4 ,WD ,I -E BACK /R;G]8 ,OR WD ,I
GIVE UP & QUIT8 ,I DON'T ?9K ? IS A P>-
TICUL>LY 5LI<T5$ $UC,NAL PHILOSOPHY1 B1
9 MY CASE AT L1/1 X ALW _H ! DESIR$ EF-
FECT4
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS N"E GAVE OTOME 6M$IOCRE
D.ERS1 ONLY 6^? ( U :OM %E 0 GROOM+ =
MAJOR ROLES4 ,! ONLY P]SON :O SU6]$ AC-
TUAL 3SEQU;ES F MY F/ OTOME 0 ! T1*] :O
_H GIV5 ME ! WR;G 9=M,N4 ,%E 0 N"E ALL[$
69/RUCT ME AG4

  ,MY ADOP;N (FICI,Y CAME "? ON ,APRIL
#AE1 #AIFJ4 ,Z ,I _H BE5 LIV+ 9 !
,IWASAKI OKIYA =! LA/ FIVE YE>S1 ! *ANGE
9 /ATUS DIDN'T H A GRT E6ECT ON MY DAILY
R\T9E4 ,EXCEPT =! FACT T N[ ,I _H   #AGA
6SLEEP UP/AIRS ) ,OLD ,M1NIE 9 H] ROOM4
  ,I _H -E ALL ! WAY ACR ! BRIDGE4 ,MY
*ILDHOOD HOME 0 2H ME4 ,! _W (! D.E LAY
AH1D4




















                                    #AGB
























                 #AD                #AGC

  ,! ONLY PL1SANT ?+ AB ,YAEKO 2+ 9 !
,IWASAKI OKIYA 0 T H] SON ,MASAYUKI "S-
"TS CAME 6VISIT4 ,OLD ,M1NIE ASK$ ,MASA-
YUKI :AT HE WANT$ = 8 ?IRTE5? BIR?"D4
,HE 0 A V GD /UD5T & 3FESS$ T :AT HE
WANT$ M ?AN ANY?+ 0 A _W 5CYCLOP$IA4
  ,HE CAME 6! ,IWASAKI OKIYA ON 8 BIR?-
"D1 ,JANU>Y #I1 S ,OLD ,M1NIE CD GIVE HM
! PRES5T4 ,MASAYUKI 0 DELI<T$4 ,WE SAT 9
! GUE/H\SE = H\RS1 PAG+ "? ! FACT-FILL$
PAGES TGR4
  ,=MAL ,JAPANESE RECEP;N ROOMS F1TURE
AN ALCOVE CALL$ A .TOKONOMA1 : IS US$ TO
4PLAY TR1SUR$ .CURIOS4 ,USU,Y ^! 9CLUDE
A HANG+ SCROLL DEPICT+ A S1SONAL MOTIF &
FL[]S >T;LLY >RANG$ 9 A SUITA# VASE4 ,I
/ REMEMB] ! SCROLL T 0 HANG+ 9 ! TOKO-
NOMA T "D4 ,X 0 A ,NEW ,YE>'S IMAGE1 A
PA9T+ (! SUN RIS+ OV] ! M.TA9S4 ,A CRANE
FLEW ACR ! SUN4 ,! CU%IONS WE 7 SITT+ ON
7 COV]$ 9 W>M BR[N SILK4 ,_H X BE5 SUMM]
!Y WD H BE5 COV]$ 9 COOL BLUE L954
  ,SIX "DS LAT]1 >.D ELEV5 9 ! MORN+1 !
TELEPH"O RANG4 ,Z SOON Z ,I HE>D    #AGD
X R+ ,I _H A HORRI# PREMONI;N4 ,I KNEW
"S?+ BAD _H HAPP5$4 ,! PH"O CALL 0 F MY
"F4 ,HE TOLD U T ,MASAYUKI 0 MISS+4 ,T
MORN+ HE _H G"O 6! /ORE 6BUY T(U = BR1K-
FA/ & N"E -E HOME4 ,!Y CDN'T F9D HM ANY-
":4
  ,YAEKO 0 ATT5D+ A LUN*EON = "S =EIGN
AMBASSADORS AT ,HYOTEI1 AN EXCLUSIVE
RE/AURANT T HAS A F\R HUNDR$-YE>-OLD
HI/ORY1 NE> ,NANZ5JI4 ,AF TELL+ MY "F ":
%E WAS1 ,KUNIKO1 ,TOMIKO1 & ,I RAC$
HOME4
  ,:5 WE GOT 6\R NEI<BORHOOD WE 7 GREET$
0A L>GE CR[D ( POLICEM5 & FIREM51 HOV]+
>.D ! $GE (! CANAL4 ,! (FIC]S _H F.D F9-
G]NAIL SCRAT*ES ON ! /EEP EMBANK;T4 ,!
PEB#S ON ! BANK 7 4TURB$4 ,! (FICIALS
3CLUD$ T ,MASAYUKI _H TRIPP$ & FALL51 &1
EV5 ?\< !Y CDN'T F9D A BODY1 !Y ASSUM$ T
HE _H DR[N$4 ,"! 0 NO WAY ANY"O CD LA/ M
?AN A FEW M9UTES 9 T FREEZ+ COLD WAT]4
  ,MY BRA9 & HE>T /OPP$ COLD4 ,I CDN'T
2LIEVE X4 ,! CANAL4 ,! "O T GAVE U T9Y
CLAMS = MISO S\P4 ,! "O )! B1UTI;L *]RY
BLOSSOMS4 ,! "O T PROTECT$ \R       #AGE
H\SE F ! RE/ (! _W4 ,T CANAL _H SWALL[$
MY FR4 ,M ?AN MY FR4 ,MY NEPHEW4 ,I W5T
NUMB ) %OCK4
  ,MY P>5TS 7 CLE>LY DEVA/AT$4 ,MY "F
ADOR$ 8 GR&SON & ,I CDN'T BE> 6LOOK AT !
PA9 9 8 FACE4 ,I WANT$ 6-=T HM B ,I 0 NO
L;G] 8 DAU<T]4 ,I _HN'T SE5 MY P>5TS 9 !
TWO YE>S S9CE T "D 9 C\RT :5 ,I DCLD T
,I 0 AN ,IWASAKI1 N A ,TANAKA4 ,I FELT
AWKW>D4 ,I DIDN'T "K H[ ,I 0 SUPPOS$ TO
ACT4 ,I WI%$ T ,I _H DI$ 9/1D ( ,MASA-
YUKI4
  ,YAEKO WAIT$ UNTIL ! LUN*EON 0 OV] 2F
-+ \ 6! H\SE4 ,6? "D ,I / C'T "U/& :Y %E
3T9U$ 6SIT 9 T RE/AURANT1 EAT+ FOOD &
MAK+ CL"E 3V]S,N1 :5 %E KNEW T H] SON 0
MISS+4 ,I "K ! ROOM ": %E 0 SITT+4 ,X
OV]LOOKS A G>D54 ,! G>D5 HAS A POND4 ,!
POND IS F$ 0A SMALL /R1M4 ,! /R1M'S WAT]
-ES F ! SAME CANAL T TOOK H] SON'S LIFE4
  ,YAEKO >RIV$ >.D ?REE O'C4 ,%E PO9T$
H] F+] AT ME & />T$ SCR1M+ L A %E-DEVIL4
8,X %D H BE5 Y6 ,Y >E ! "O :O %D H DI$1
Y WOR?.S PIECE ( NO?+6 ,N MY ,MASAYUKI40
  ,AT T MO;T1 ,I CDN'T H AGRE$ )    #AGF
H] M4 ,I WD H GIV5 ANY?+ 6EX*ANGE MY
LIFE = HIS4 ,%E BLAM$ MY P>5TS4 ,!Y
BLAM$ !MVS4 ,X 0 A HORRID MESS4
  ,I TRI$ 6BE /OICAL4 ,I ?"\ T 0 :AT MY
"F EXPECT$4 ,HE WDN'T WANT ME 64GRACE
MYF ) TE>S4 ,& ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4 ,%E WD
WANT ME 6MA9TA9 MY -POSURE Z WELL4 ,S ,I
DECID$ T HID+ MY FEEL+S 0 A WAY 6HONOR
BO? FAMILIES SIMULTANE\SLY4
  ,I WD H 6BE /R;G4
  ,:5 ,I RETURN$ 6! OKIYA ,I REFUS$ 6AL-
L[ MYF ! SANCTU>Y (! CLOSET4 ,MASAYUKI'S
BODY 0 RECOV]$ A WEEK LAT]4 ,X _H WA%$
D[N ! CANAL 96! RIV] NET"W (! ,KYOTO BA-
S9 & FLOAT$ S\? ALL ! WAY 6,FU%IMI4 ,WE
HELD ! TRADI;NAL ALL-NI<T VIGIL OV] !
CORPSE4 ,& !N WE _H 8 FUN]AL4 ,! T[N PUT
UP A GRE5 WIRE F;E ON ! EMBANK;T (!
CANAL4
  ,X 0 MY F/ EXP]I;E ( D1?4 ,& "O (! LA/
"TS ,I "E VISIT$ MY P>5TS' H\SE4
  ,YAEKO'S HATR$ ( ME 9T5SIFI$4 ,N[ :5"E
%E WALK$ PA/ ME %E HISS$ 8,I WI% Y 7
D1D0 "U H] BR1?4 ,I KEPT ! 5CYCLOP$IA4
,MASAYUKI'S F+]PR9TS 7 ON E PAGE4   #AGG
,I 2CAME OBSESS$ ) D1?4 ..,:AT HAPP5S :5
Y DIE8 ,": 0 ,MASAYUKI8 ,0 "! "S WAY ,I
CD G "! .TOO8 ,I ?"\ AB X ALL ! "T4 ,I 0
S PREO3UPI$ T1 = ONCE1 ,I NEGLECT$ MY
/UDIES & MY LESSONS4 ,F9,Y1 ,I DECID$ TO
"Q ALL ! OLD M5 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,!Y 7
CLOS] 6D1? ?AN ,I WAS4 ,MAYBE "O ( !M
KNEW "S?+4
  ,I ASK$ ,MR4 ,VEGETA# ,MAN1 & ,UNCLE
,HORI MY CALLIGRAPHY T1*]1 & ,MR4 ,NO-
MURA ! GILD]1 & ,MR4 ,SUGANE ! LAUNDRY
MAN1 &! COPP]SMI?4 ,I ASK$ "EY"O ,I CD
?9K (1 B NOBODY _H A DEF9ITIVE ANSW]4 ,I
DIDN'T "K ": ELSE 6TURN4
  ,M1N:ILE1 SPR+ 0 APPROA*+ &1 ) X1 !
5TR.E EXAMS = JUNIOR HI< S*OOL4 ,OLD
,M1NIE WANT$ ME 6APPLY 6! PRE/IGI\S
JUNIOR HI< S*OOL 3NECT$ 6,KYOTO ,WOM5'S
,COLLEGE4 ,B ,I WASN'T A# 6FOCUS4 ,9 !
5D1 ,I 5ROLL$ 9 ! LOCAL PUBLIC JUNIOR
HI< S*OOL CLOSE 6HOME4
  ,YAEKO 0 S FURI\S ) MY P>5TS T %E
DIDN'T WANT H] OLD] SON ,MAMORU 6LIVE )
!M ANY L;G]4 ,YET %E 0 TOO SELFI% &
IRRESPONSI# 6F9D A PROP] HOME1 L    #AGH
AN A"P;T1 ": !Y CD LIVE TGR4 ,%E 9SI/$
ON BR++ HM 6LIVE 9 ! OKIYA4
  ,? 0 N ! F/ "T T ,YAEKO _H FLAUNT$ !
RULES4 ,%E 0 ALW B5D+ !M4 ,H] V PRES;E 0
AN AB]R,N4 ,! ONLY GEIKO ALL[$ 6RESIDE 9
! OKIYA >E ! ATOTORI &! "Y GEIKO :O >E /
"U 3TRACT4 ,YAEKO 0 NEI4 ,%E MAY H LIK$
6?9K %E 0 / AN ,IWASAKI1 B H] DIVORCE
WASN'T F9AL & H] LA/ "N 0 ,UEH>A4 ,%E _H
BROK5 H] 3TRACT )! OKIYA :5 %E LEFT 6BE
M>RI$4 ,%E DIDN'T H ! "R 6LIVE "! ON EI
A3.T4 ,Z IF ? 0 N 5\<1 X IS N P]MITT$ TO
RE5T] AN OKIYA ONCE Y L1VE X4
  ,YAEKO OV]RODE ,AUNTIE ,OIMA & ,OLD
,M1NIE'S OBJEC;NS4 ,%E MOV$ ,MAMORU 9 &
KEPT BR1K+ ! RULES4 ,%E EV5 SN1K$ H]
BOYFRS UP 96H] ROOM AT NI<T4 ,"O MORN+
,I /A7]$ 96! BA?ROOM HALF-ASLEEP & BUMP$
96"S GUY %E _H BR"\ HOME ! NI<T 2F4 ,I
SCR1M$4 ,! :OLE H\SEHOLD 0 ?R[N 96TUR-
MOIL4
  ,TYPICAL ,YAEKO4
  ,X 0 BAD =M =A MAN1 ANY MAN1 6SP5D !
NI<T 9 AN OKIYA 2C X CA/ SUSPICION ON !
*A/;Y ( XS 9HABITANTS4 ,NO?+ IS     #AGI
LEFT UNNOTIC$1 OR UNREM>K$1 9 ,GION ,KO-
BU4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA 0 N"E HAPPY :5 "! 0 A
MAN 9 ! H\SE4 ,:5 A MAN _H 6/AY OV]NI<T
= "S R1SON1 EV5 IF HE 7 A CLOSE MALE
RELATIVE1 %E MADE HM WAIT UNTIL AF LUN*
2F L1V+1 LE/ ANY"O SEE HM DE"P 9 ! MORN+
& GET ! WR;G IDEA4
  ,I 0 TWELVE4 ,MAMORU 0 FIFTE54 ,HE MAY
N H BE5 A FULL-GR[N MAN B 8 5]GY *ANG$ !
ATMOSPH]E (! OKIYA4 ,X DIDN'T FEEL Z
SAFE 6ME ANY L;G]4 ,HE T1S$ ME 9 A WAY T
MADE ME 4T9CTLY UNCOM=TA#4
  ,"O "T HE & TWO ( 8 FRS 7 UP 9 8 ROOM4
,I W5T 9 6BR+ !M TEA & !Y GRA2$ ME &
PU%$ ME >.D4 ,I GOT SC>$ & RAN D[N/AIRS4
,!Y 7 LAU<+4 ,ANO!R "T ,I 0 9 ! BA? 0MYF
& ,I HE>D "S"O 9 ! *ANG+ ROOM4 ,I CALL$
\1 8,:O'S "!80 ,SUZU-*AN 0 DO+ A *ORE 9
! G>D5 & H] VOICE CAME "? ! W9D[4 8,MISS
,M9EKO1 >E Y AL"R80
  8,I'M F9E10 ,I ANSW]$4
  ,I HE>D ! DOOR SLAM & "S"O RUN UP !
\TSIDE /AIRS 6! SECOND /ORY4 ,X _H 6BE
,MAMORU4
  ,I KNEW NEXT 6NO?+ AB SEX4 ,X 0   #AHJ
N"E 4CUSS$ & ,I WASN'T "PICUL>LY CURI\S4
,! ONLY MAN ,I _H "E SE5 NAK$ 0 MY "F &
T 0 S _M YE>S AGO ,I B>ELY REMEMB]$ :AT
HE LOOK$ L4
  ,S X CAME Z A -PLETE %OCK :51 "O EV5+
:5 ,I 0 UNDRESS+ 9 ! *ANG+ ROOM1 ,MAMORU
SN1K$ UP SIL5TLY F 2H1 GRA2$ ME1 ?REW ME
BRUT,Y 6! FLOOR1 & TRI$ 6RAPE ME4
  ,X 0 A HOT SUMM] EV5+ B ,I FROZE4 ,MY
M9D W5T BLANK & MY TOTAL 2+ W5T COLD )
FE>4 ,I 0 TOO T]RIFI$ 6SCR1M & B>ELY A#
6PUT UP A /RU7LE4 ,J !N1 E>N+ MY ET]NAL
GRATITUDE1 ,KUN-*AN WALK$ 9 6BR+ ME A
FRE% T[EL &A *ANGE ( CLO!S4
  ,%E RIPP$ ,MAMORU (F ME & VIOL5TLY
?REW HM ASIDE4 ,I ?"\ %E 0 GO+ 6MURD]
HM4 8,Y FIL?Y BA/>D60 %E YELL$4 ,%E
MORPH$ F H] NORM,Y PLACID SELF 96"S K9D
( FI]CE GU>DIAN DE;Y4 8,Y DIRTY1 ROTT5
PIG6 ,H[ D>E Y PUT YR H&S ON ,M9EKO8
,GET ! HELL \ ( "H4 ,? 9/ANT6 ,I'LL KILL
Y IF Y "E ?9K AB T\*+ H] AG4 ,,D ,,Y
,,HE> ,,ME80
  ,HE TORE \ ( "!1 L A ?IEF 9 ! NI<T4
,KUNIKO TRI$ 6LIFT ME UP4 ,I 0      #AHA
%AK+ S H>D ,I CDN'T EV5 /&4 ,MY BODY 0
COV]$ ) BRUISES4
  ,%E PUT ME 6B$4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA & ,OLD
,M1NIE 7 V K9D4 ,B ,I 0 -PLETELY TRAUMA-
TIZ$1 CAU<T 9 A WR5*+ VISE ( PANIC &
FE>4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA CALL$ ,YAEKO & ,MAMORU
&1 )\T PREAM#1 -M&$ !M 6L1VE3 8,I WANT Y
\ ( "H ? 9/ANT4 ,N[4 ,NO EXCUSES4 ,DON'T
SAY A ^W40 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA LAT] TOLD ME %E
_H N"E BE5 ANGRI] 9 H] LIFE4
  ,YAEKO REFUS$ 6L1VE4 ,%E 9SI/$ T %E _H
NO": 6G1 :1 LOOK+ BACK ON X1 0 PROBABLY
TRUE4 ,NO "O CD /& H]4 ,OLD ,M1NIE 9T]-
V5$ & SD %E WD HELP F9D "SPLACE = ,YAEKO
6G4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA DIDN'T WANT ,MAMORU 9 !
SAME H\SE ) ME = "O M9UTE L;G] ?AN NEC4
,%E CALL$ ,"M ,SAKAGU*I = HELP4 ,"M
,SAKAGU*I DIDN'T WANT U "U ! SAME RO(
EI4 ,S !Y CAME UP )A PLAN4
  ,! NEXT "D ,AUNTIE ,OIMA CALL$ ME 6H]4
8,MINE-*AN1 ,I H A GRT FAVOR 6ASK4 ,"M
,SAKAGU*I NE$S "S ASSI/.E AT HOME "R N[
& %E'D L Y 6/AY ) H] =A :ILE TO     #AHB
HELP \4 ,WD Y M9D8 ,WE'D RE,Y APPRECIATE
X40
  ,X TOOK ME NO "T 6ANSW]4 8,I'D 2 HAPPY
6D :AT ,I C40
  8,?ANK Y1 DE>4 ,I'LL PACK UP YR CLO!S
B Y _H BETT] GET YR S*OOL ?+S TGR YRF40
  ,6TELL ! TRU?1 ,I 0 SECRETLY RELIEV$4
  ,I MOV$ 96,"M ,SAKAGU*I'S H\SE T AFN4
  ,X TOOK TWO WEEKS = ,OLD ,M1NIE 6F9D
,YAEKO A H\SE4 ,X 0 S\? ( ,%IJO ON
,NI%IHANAMIKOJI ,/REET4 ,%E LOAN$ H]
4#CE1JJJ 6BUY X4 ,YAEKO MOV$ "! )
,MAMORU4 ,I TRI$ 6AVOID HM Z M* Z POSSI-
#1 B HE ALW _H "S?+ NA/Y 6SAY :5 WE
PASS$ EA* O!R ON ! /REET4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA
AGRE$ 63T9UE MANAG+ ,YAEKO'S C>E]4 ,!
B5EFIT ( ? /RATEGY 0 T ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA
WD N LOSE FACE 9 ! -MUN;Y Z A RESULT (!
9CID5T4 ,YAEKO 0 2+ PUNI%$1 B NO "O WD H
6"K4
  ,I 0 HAV+ A T]RI# "T4 ,I SU6]$ F HOR-
RI# NI<TM>ES & FELT 3/ANTLY ON ! V]GE (
HY/]IA4 ,I CDN'T /OP ?R[+ UP4 ,I KNEW T
"EY"O 0 RE,Y WORRI$ AB ME B ,I 0 9CAPA#
( PRET5D+ T ,I 0 ALL "R4 ,"M        #AHC
,SAKAGU*I _H "O ( H] MAIDS WAT* OV] ME
TW5TY-F\R H\RS A "D4 ,? W5T ON = MON?S4






















                                    #AHD
























                  #AE               #AHE

  ,I'VE (T5 WOND]$ :Y ,AUNTIE ,OIMA PUT
UP ) ,YAEKO'S 2HAVIOR = Z L;G Z %E DID
:5 %E 0 S /RICT AB "EY?+ ELSE4 ,0 X SIM-
PLY A MATT] ( H>MONY & SAV+ FACE OV]
4SON.E & 4GRACE8 ,"PLY1 ,I'M SURE4 ,B ,I
?9K %E AL FELT HONOR B.D 6D1L DEC5TLY )
,YAEKO \ ( RESPECT =! FACT T ,YAEKO 0 MY
SI/] & ,I 0 ! ATOTORI4 ,&1 :AT"E H]
FAULTS1 ,YAEKO 0 / A MEMB] (! ,IWASAKI
OKIYA FAMILY4
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I1 H["E1 DIDN'T 2LIEVE T
,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S PUNI%;T ( ,YAEKO W5T F>
5\<4 ,%E CALL$ ,YAEKO 6H] & MET$ \ A
H>%] S5T;E3 8,I =BID Y 6D.E 9 PUBLIC =!
NEXT ?REE YE>S4 ,I H ALR 9=M$ ,MI/RESS
,AIKO ( MY DECI.N1 S X IS F9AL4 ,UNTIL
FUR!R NOTICE1 Y >E AL BANI%$ F \R 9N]
CIRCLE4 ,Y MAY N /EP OV] ! ?RE%OLD ( ?
OR ANY O!R H\SE 9 \R L91GE4 ,WE WI% NO
3C\RSE ) Y4 ,S5D ME NO GIFTS4 ,D N TR\#
YRF )! CU/OM>Y GREET+S OR RITUAL VISITS1
EV5 AT ! ,NEW ,YE>4
  8,& "! IS "O M ?+4 ,I =BID Y 6-E ANY":
NE> ,M9EKO4 ,D Y "U/&8 ,Y >E 6H     #AHF
NO?+ 6D ) H]4 ,I ABSOLVE Y ( YR DUTIES Z
H] ,ONESAN1 9 FACT B N 9 "N4 ,Y W ATT5D
6H] DEBUT 9 A SECOND>Y POSI;N4 ,! G5TLE-
MAN F ! ,SUEHIROYA W TELL ": Y >E 6SIT
ON T O3A.N4 ,N[ G4 ,& DON'T -E BACK40
  ,NO "O WD H FAULT$ ,"M ,SAKAGU*I = EX-
PELL+ ,YAEKO F ,GION ,KOBU = H] ACTIVI-
TIES4 ,B %E *OSE A LESS DRA/IC PUNI%;T1
"O T E6ECTIVELY CURTAIL$ ,YAEKO'S ACTIV-
;Y =! NEXT FEW YE>S )\T BR++ 4HONOR ON
ANY ( \R "NS1 "PICUL>LY M9E4
  ,LIV+ ) ,"M ,SAKAGU*I 0 A T]RIFIC $U-
C,N 9 H[ ! GEIKO BUSI;S FUNC;NS4 ,%E 0 A
GRT BUSI;SWOMAN &A R1L P[] BROK]4 ,I L
6?9K ( H] Z ! 8GOD"M0 (! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,P
CALL$ ^U H] 3/ANTLY1 SEEK+ H] 9FLU;E1
9T]V5;N1 & ADVICE4
  ,KANOKO ,SAKAGU*I 0 A TRUE DAU<T] (
,GION ,KOBU4 ,%E 0 N ADOPT$1 B 0 BORN 6!
PROPRIETRESS (! PROM95T ,SAKAGU*I OKIYA4
,! ,SAKAGU*I OKIYA 0 "KN = XS MUSICIANS
& ,KANOKO 2CAME A MA/] (! .OHAYASHI1
,JAPANESE P]CUS.N4 ,%E DEBUT$ 9 H] TE5S
& GREW 96A V POPUL> GEIKO4
  ,KANOKO'S "M APPO9T$ ,KANOKO Z    #AHG
H] ATOTORI4 ,! ,SAKAGU*I OKIYA 0 L>GE &
PROSP]\S1 & ,KANOKO _H _M 8"Y] SI/]S40
,B %E WANT$ 63C5TRATE ON H] MUSIC R ?AN
RUNN+ ! OKIYA4 ,%E 5C\RAG$ ! "Y] GEIKO 9
H] *>GE 62COME 9DEP5D5T4
  ,FREE 6FOCUS ON H] MUSIC1 ,KANOKO QKLY
ROSE )9 ! HI]>*Y (! ,GION ,KOBU4 ,%E
RCVD C]TIFIC,N T GAVE H] ! SOLE AU?OR;Y
6T1* C]TA9 ( XS D.ES4 ,9 ! ,GION ,KOBU
SY/EM1 ? M1NS T ANY"O :O WI%$ 6P]=M !
OHAYASHI _H 6GET SPECIFIC P]MIS.N F ,"M
,SAKAGU*I 6D S4
  ,"! IS A POSI;N 9 ! ORGANIZ,N (! ,9\E
,S*OOL CALL$ A .KOKEN4 ,! KOKEN >E SORT
( L REG5TS OR GU>DIANS4 ,"! >E FIVE FAM-
ILIES :O HOLD ? HONOR>Y TITLE1 ! ,SAKA-
GU*I 2+ "O ( !M4
  ,"O (! R1SONS ! KOKEN >E IMPORTANT IS
2C !Y >E 9 *>GE (! SELEC;N (! IEMOTO4 ,?
SU3ES.N HAPP5S ONLY ONCE 9 TWO OR ?REE
G5],NS & HAS A PROF.D E6ECT ON ! DIREC;N
(! S*OOL4 ,Z A KOKEN1 ,"M ,SAKAGU*I 0
9/RU;TAL 9 ELECT+ ,9\E ,YA*IO ,,IV 6H]
PRES5T POSI;N4 ,! IEMOTO 0 2HOLD5 6,"M
,SAKAGU*I = H] SUPPORT4             #AHH
  ,B ,"M ,SAKAGU*I'S 9FLU;E W5T 2Y ,BIG
,MI/RESS4 ,0BIR? OR CIRCUM/.E1 %E 0 AN
AU?OR;Y FIGURE 6_M (! MAJOR PLAY]S 9
,GION ,KOBU1 9CLUD+ ,MI/RESS ,KAZAMA1 !
D.E T1*]1 ,KOTEI ,YO%IZUMI1 ! SHAMISEN
PLAY]1 V>I\S OCHAYA [N]S1 (FIC]S (! ,KA-
BUKAI1 &1 ( C\RSE1 ! OKASAN ( ALL ! ,SA-
KAGU*I BRAN* OKIYA4
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I 0 T5 YE>S "Y] ?AN ,AUNT-
IE ,OIMA1 S WD H BE5 >.D EI<TY :5 ,I W5T
6LIVE ) H]4 ,YET %E 0 / VIGOR\S & AC-
TIVELY 9VOLV$ 9 ,GION ,KOBU A6AIRS4 ,J
LOOK AT ALL ! C>E & ATT5;N %E LAVI%$ ON
MY C>E] & WELL-2+4 ,I LIV$ ) ,"M ,SAKA-
GU*I =! RE/ (! SEV5? & ALL (! EI<?
GRADE4
  ,! MOVE *ANG$ ": ,I SLEPT B N :AT ,I
DID4 ,I / W5T 6S*OOL 9 ! MORN+ & 6MY
LESSONS 9 ! AFN4 ,I /UDI$ H>D & PRACTIC$
EV5 H>D]4 ,0? "T1 ,I 0 S 5TW9$ )! L>G]
-MUN;Y ( ,GION ,KOBU T ,I H>DLY NOTIC$ !
DI6];E1 EXCEPT T ,I F9,Y _H 6GIVE UP MY
LIFEL;G HABIT ( SUCKL+ ON ,KUNIKO OR
,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S BR1/ UNTIL ,I FELL
ASLEEP4                             #AHI
  ,I 3T9U$ 6D WELL 9 S*OOL4 ,I 0 V AT-
TA*$ 6MY EI<? GRADE HOMEROOM T1*]4 ,"O
"D HE 2CAME ILL & _H 6BE HOSPITALIZ$4 ,I
0 / TRAUMATIZ$ 0,MASAYUKI'S D1? & 0 T]-
RIFI$ T HE 0 GO+ 6MEET ! SAME FATE4 ,!
PR9CIPAL WDN'T TELL ME ": HE WAS1 B ,I
KEPT AF HM UNTIL HE WROTE D[N 8 A4RESS &
SLIPP$ X 6ME ON A PIECE ( PAP]4
  ,I W5T 96AC;N & ORGANIZ$ ! CLASS4 ,IG-
NOR+ ! PROTE/S (! SUB/ITUTE T1*]1 WE
FOLD$ #III ORIGAMI CRANES 9 A M]E ?REE
"DS & /RUNG !M ALL TGR 96A MOBILE M1NT
6SPE$ \R T1*]'S RECOV]Y4 ,!N WE FOLD$ !
LA/ CRANE1 ! ?\S&?4 ,? "O 0 = \R T1*] TO
ADD 6! MOBILE :5 HE GOT WELL4 ,I WASN'T
ALL[$ 6CROSS ,%IJO ,/REET S MY CLASS-
MATES _H 6DELIV] ! MOBILE )\T ME4
  ,\R T1*] RETURN$ 6S*OOL TWO MON?S LAT-
]4 ,HE GAVE U ALL P5CILS Z ?ANK Y PRES-
5TS4 ,I 0 ENORM\SLY RELIEV$ T HE DIDN'T
DIE4
  ,I MOV$ BACK 96! ,IWASAKI OKIYA AT !
2G9N+ ( N9? GRADE4
  ,9 MY ABS;E1 ,TOMIKO'S T]M ( S]VICE _H
EXPIR$4 ,:5 ,TOMIKO JO9$ ! OKIYA    #AIJ
%E SIGN$ A 3TRACT =A SIX-YE> T]M ( S]V-
ICE4 ,? M1NT %E 0 BASIC,Y AN EMPLOYEE (!
OKIYA4 ,:5 H] 3TRACT 0 F9I%$ %E 0 FREE
63T9UE "W+ Z A GEIKO1 LIV+ \TSIDE ! OKI-
YA B "U XS MANAGE;T1 OR D "S?+ ELSE4 ,%E
*OSE 6GET M>RI$4
  ,Z A 3TRACT GEIKO1 ,TOMIKO REMA9$ A
,TANAKA "?\T H] SOJ\RN AT ! OKIYA4 ,%E 0
"!=E 5C\RAG$1 UNLIKE ME1 6MA9TA9 AN AC-
TIVE REL,N%IP ) MY P>5TS & SIBL+S1 : %E
DID1 VISIT+ !M REGUL>LY4 ,MY SI/] ,YO%IO
GOT 5GAG$ & H] FIANC@E 9TRODUC$ ,TOMIKO
6! MAN %E 5D$ UP M>RY+4
  ,I MISS$ H]1 B X 0 GD 6BE HOME4 ,I 0
LOOK+ =W>D 6MY JUNIOR HI< S*OOL TRIP1 A
HI<LI<T ( E ,JAPANESE ADOLESC5T'S LIFE4
,WE 7 GO+ 6,TOKYO4 ,A WEEK 2F WE 7 SET
6L1VE MY TUMMY 2GAN 6A*E & ,I W5T 6!
LAVATORY4 ,"S?+ 0 V WR;G4 ,I 0 BLE$+ F
D[N "!4 ,I M/ H DEVELOP$ HEMORRHOIDS1 A
3DI;N T RUNS 9 MY FAMILY4 ,I DIDN'T "K
:AT 6D4 ,F9,Y ,FUSAE-*AN1 "O ( \R APPR5-
TICES1 CALL$ 9 6SEE IF ,I 0 ALL "R4 ,I
ASK$ H] 6CALL ,AUNTIE ,OIMA1 :O SPOKE TO
ME "? ! DOOR4                       #AIA
  8,MINE-*AN1 :AT'S GO+ ON 9 "!80
  8,UHHHHH1 "S?+ T]RI# HAS HAPP5$4 ,I'M
BLE$+40
  8,T'S N T]RI#1 ,M9EKO4 ,Y >E F9E4 ,?
IS GD40
  8,HEMORRHOIDS >E GD80
  8,X'S N HEMORRHOIDS4 ,Y H YR P]IOD40
  8,MY :AT80
  8,YR P]IOD4 ,Y >E M5/RUAT+4 ,X'S P]-
FECTLY NORMAL4 ,DIDN'T Y LE>N AB ? AT
S*OOL80
  8,!Y TOLD U "S?+4 ,B T 0 A L;G "T
AGO40
  ,"O MI<T ?9K T LIV+ 9 AN ALL-FEMALE
SOCIETY WD H PREP>$ ME = ? EV5TUAL;Y4 ,B
! OPPOSITE 0 TRUE4 ,NO "O "E 4CUSS$ 9TI-
MATE MATT]S4 ,I DIDN'T H ! FA9TE/ IDEA (
:AT 0 HAPP5+ 6ME4
  8,LET ME GET ,KUN-*AN 6HELP Y4 ,I NO
L;G] H ANY (! ?+S Y'LL NE$40
  ,! H\SEHOLD MADE A BIG D1L ( MY 8AT-
TA9;T40 ,? EV5T IS G5],Y M>K$ 9 ,JAPAN )
A SPECIAL D9N] AT HOME1 B1 2C ,I 0 !
,IWASAKI ATOTORI1 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA TURN$ X
96Q AN O3A.N4 ,T NI<T WE _H A       #AIB
L>GE1 FE/IVE D9N] 9 ! OKIYA & P CAME F
ALL OV] ,GION ,KOBU 6PAY RESPECTS & SAY
3GRATUL,NS4 ,WE GAVE \ BOXES (A SPECIAL
SWEET CALL$ .OCHOBO1 A SMALL R.D$ 3FEC;N
)A R$ TIP ON TOP MADE 6RESEM# A BU4+
BR1/4
  ,I F.D ! :OLE ?+ T]RIBLY EMB>RASS+1 &1
L _M GIRLS MY AGE1 HAT$ ! IDEA ( "EY"O
"K+ :AT _H HAPP5$ 6ME4 ,H[ -E WE KEPT
CELEBRAT+ ?+S T MADE ME FEEL BAD8
  ,YAEKO SETTL$ H] LOANS T YE>4 ,%E REPD
,AUNTIE ,OIMA ! M"OY %E _H BORR[$ 9
#AIEB 6COV] H] DEBTS & REPD ,OLD ,M1NIE
! M"OY %E _H BORR[$ 9 #AIFB 6BUY A H\SE4
,AUNTIE ,OIMA RETURN$ ! PROP] SUMS 6,"M
,SAKAGU*I4
  ,9 LIEU ( 9T]E/1 ,YAEKO PRES5T$ ,OLD
,M1NIE ) AN AME?Y/ OBI CLASP4 ,OLD ,M1N-
IE 0 -PLETELY (F5D$ 0! GE/URE4 ,YAEKO _H
PUR*AS$ ! CLASP AT A JEWELRY /ORE T WE
D1LT ) ALL ! "T4 ,%E KNEW T WE WD "K EX-
ACTLY H[ M* X CO/4 ,9/1D ( HELP+ 6PAT*
?+S UP1 ! O/5TATI\S GIFT 0 FUR!R EVID;E
( ,YAEKO'S VULG>;Y & LACK ( -PREH5.N AB
! WAY ! KARYUKAI 0 SUPPOS$ 6"W4     #AIC
  ,I MYF 0 2G9N+ 6RESI/ ! RE/RIC;N (!
RULES T DICTAT$ E ASPECT ( LIFE 9 !
KARYUKAI4 ,? 0 ONLY NATURAL4 ,I 0
F\RTE54 ,)\T TELL+ MY FAMILY ,I DID "S?+
RE,Y WICK$4 ,I JO9$ ! BASKETBALL T1M4
  ,? 0 NO EASY F1T4 ,I 0 /RICTLY =BI45
65GAGE 9 ANY ACTIV;Y T MI<T CAUSE ME
PHYSICAL H>M4 ,I TOLD ,OLD ,M1NIE T ,I
JO9$ ! FL[]->RANG+ CLUB4 ,%E 0 PL1S$ T
,I 0 9T]E/$ 9 S* A REF9$ PURSUIT4
  ,I LOV$ ! GAME4 ,! YE>S ( DANC+ _H
HON$ MY 3C5TR,N & S5SE ( BAL.E 6A F9E
PO9T4 ,I 0 A GIFT$ PLAY]4 ,MY T1M CAME 9
SECOND 9 ! REGIONAL T\RNA;T T YE>4
  ,OLD ,M1NIE N"E F.D \4









                                    #AID
























                  #AF               #AIE

  ,9 ,NOVEMB] ( #AIFD1 :5 %E 0 N9ETY-TWO
YE>S OLD1 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA SU45LY FELL ILL
& 0 3F9$ 6H] FUTON4 ,MY FIFTE5? BIR?"D
CAME & W5T4 ,I /AY$ 0H] SIDE Z M* Z POS-
SI#1 TALK+ 6H]1 MASSAG+ H] OLD & TIR$
MUSCLES4 ,%E WDN'T LET ANY"O 2SS ,KUNIKO
OR ME BA! H] OR *ANGE H] B$PAN4
  ,9 ,GION ,KOBU WE 2G9 \R ,NEW ,YE>
PREP>,NS 9 MID-,DECEMB]1 2F ! RE/ (!
C.TRY GETS />T$4 ,WE 2G9 ON ,DECEMB]
#AC1 A "D WE CALL .,KOTOHAJIME4
  ,! F/ ORD] ( BUSI;S ON ,KOTOHAJIME IS
6PAY A VISIT 6! IEMOTO =A RITUAL EX*ANGE
( GREET+S & GIFTS4 ,! IEMOTO GIVES EA* (
U \R NEW FAN =! -+ YE>4 ,! COLOR (! FAN
CORRESPONDS 6\R PRES5T RANK4 ,9 RETURN1
9 ! "N ( \R FAMILY1 WE PRES5T H] ) TWO
ITEMS3 .OKAGAMISAN1 A PAIR ( P.D$ GLUTI-
N\S RICE CAKES PLAC$ "O ON TOP (! O!R1 &
A R$ & :ITE 5VELOPE 3TA9+ CA%4 ,! 5VE-
LOPE IS TI$ ) AN 9TRICATE DECOR,N MADE (
GOLD & SILV] TW9E4 ,! AM.T ( M"OY IS
L9K$ 6! 8PRICE0 (! FAN T WE RCVD1 T IS1
\R /ATUS )9 ! S*OOL HI]>*Y3 LESS    #AIF
= *N1 M = S5IOR GEIKO4 ,:5 ,KOTOHAJIME
IS OV] ! IEMOTO DONATES ! SWEETS & M"OY
6A S*OOL = PHYSIC,Y H&ICAPP$ OR M5T,Y
RET>D$ *N4
  ,ON ,DECEMB] #AC ,I GOT DRESS$ & DUTI-
;LLY W5T 6PAY MY ,KOTOHAJIME VISIT4 ,I
REMEMB] FEEL+ A BIT NO/ALGIC4 ,? 0 MY
LA/ YE> Z AN AMATEUR4 ,I 0 S*$UL$ 6TAKE
! MAIKO EXAM9,N ! FOLL[+ AUTUMN :5 ,I
TURN$ SIXTE51 &1 IF ,I PASS$1 WD 2G9 MY
PROFES.NAL C>E]4
  ,S ,I 0 4CONC]T$ :5 ,BIG ,MI/RESS NO4$
6ME & SD1 8,MINE-*AN1 "! IS AN EXAM ! "D
AF TM AT ! ,NYOKOBA & ,I WANT Y 6TAKE X4
,X />TS AT T5 O'C1 S PL1SE 2 "! PROMPTLY
0N9E-?IRTY40
  ,I _H NO *OICE B 6AGREE1 AL? ,I RE,Y
DIDN'T FEEL L D1L+ ) "O M ?+ ON TOP (
,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S ILL;S4 ,I W5T HOME &
TOLD ,AUNTIE ,OIMA ! NEWS4 ,I CDN'T BE-
LIEVE ! *ANGE T CAME OV] H]4 ,%E 0 L H]
OLD SELF AG4 ,H] FACE BROKE \ 9 A GR9 &
%E ACTU,Y />T$ S++ ! .SUI-SUI S;G4 ,=!
F/ "T ,I "U/OOD H[ IMPORTANT X 0 TO
,AUNTIE ,OIMA T ,I 2COME A MAIKO4   #AIG
,X 0 A P[];L R1LIZ,N4 ,I RE,Y _HN'T BE5
PAY+ ATT5;N4
  ,OLD ,M1NIE CAME HOME 9 ! MI4LE (A
BANQUET4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA TOLD H] AB ! EX-
AM9,N4 ,OLD ,M1NIE 2CAME EV5 M EXCIT$
?AN ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4
  8,OH MY GD;S4 ,T DOESN'T L1VE U M* "T4
,KUNIKO1 C.EL MY 5GAGE;TS =! RE/ (! "D4
,-E 6?9K ( X1 C.EL TM &! NEXT "D TOO4
,ALL "R1 ,M9EKO1 LET'S GET 6"W4 ,F/1
CALL TWO (! GIRLS & ASK !M 6-E OV]4 ,X'S
BETT] IF Y PRACTICE 9 A GR\P4 ,G1 HURRY1
WE H 6GET />T$40
  ,I TRI$ N 6LAU< AT H] (FICI\S;S4
  8,B ,I'M N TAK+ ! EXAM = R1L UNTIL
NEXT YE>4 ,? "O'S NO BIG D1L4 ,I BASIC,Y
"K ! D.ES40
  8,DON'T TALK NONS5SE4 ,WE H 6GET 6"W &
WE DON'T H M* "T4 ,N[ G CALL YR FRS4 ,&
2 QK AB X40
  ,I / DIDN'T SEE ! PO9T B DID Z ,I 0
TOLD4
  ,! GIRLS 7 GLAD =! EXTRA ATT5;N4
  ,WE _H BE5 9/RUCT$ 6PREP>E SEV5
PIECES4 ,OLD ,M1NIE PULL$ \ H]      #AIH
SHAMISEN & 2GAN 6PLAY4 ,WE REHE>S$ EA*
PIECE HUNDR$S ( "TS4 ,WE "W$ "D & NI<T1
B>ELY /OPP+ 6EAT OR SLEEP4 ,0! 5D (! TWO
"DS ,I KNEW E 9F9ITESIMAL MOVE;T ( ALL
SEV5 D.ES 0HE>T4 ,OLD ,M1NIE DIDN'T LET
UP =A M9UTE4 ,%E 0 AMAZ+4
  ,ON ,DECEMB] #AE ,OLD ,M1NIE WOKE ME
EXTRA E>LY 6MAKE SURE T WE >RIV$ AT !
,NYOKOBA ON "T4 ,?IRTE5 GIRLS 7 SITT+ &
WAIT+ 9 ,/UDIO #B4 ,"EY"O 0 V N]V\S4
,EXCEPT = ME4 ,I / _HN'T GRASP$ ! IMPOR-
T.E (! MO;T4
  ,TD 0 ! LA/ *.E = "S ( !M4 ,IF !Y
DIDN'T PASS ? "T !Y WD H 6GIVE UP _!
DR1MS ( 2COM+ A MAIKO4
  ,WE 7 CALL$ 9 "O 0"O 6BE TE/$4 ,! DOOR
0 CLOS$ S WE CDN'T SEE :AT 0 GO+ ON 2H
X4 ,? ONLY A4$ 6! AIR ( APPREH5.N 9 !
HALLWAY4
  ,WE WDN'T "K : PIECE WE _H 6P]=M UNTIL
WE GOT 9SIDE &1 AL"O1 M.T$ ! /AGE4 ,!N
,BIG ,MI/RESS WD TELL U :AT 6D4
  ,TWO ( MY FRS W5T 2F ME4
  8,:AT DID Y GET80 ,I ASK$ :5 !Y CAME
\4                                  #AII
  8.,TORIOI ,7! /ORY (A /ROLL+ SHAMISEN
PLAY]7'10 !Y BO? ANSW]$4
  8,PIECE ( CAKE10 ,I ?"\4 8,I'VE GOT T
"O40 ,I 2GAN 6D.E .,TORIOI 9 MY H1D1 ME-
TICUL\SLY GO+ OV] EA* & E MOVE;T4 ,I RE-
,Y DIDN'T "U/& :AT "EY"O 0 S WORRI$ AB4
  ,!N X 0 MY TURN4
  ,! F/ "P (! EXAM 3SI/$ ( OP5+ ! DOOR4
,I DID X PRECISELY Z ,I _H BE5 TAU<T4
,0N[ ! ME*ANICAL MOVE;TS _H 2COME SECOND
NATURE4 ,!Y FELT LIQUID & GRACE;L4
  ,I SLID OP5 ! DOOR1 B[$1 & ASK$ P]MIS-
.N 65T]4 ,I "U/OOD :Y ! O!R GIRLS 7 S
N]V\S4 ,BIG ,MI/RESS WASN'T 9 "! 0H]F4
,ALL ! LL MI/RESSES 7 "!4 ,&! MA/] (!
,I*IRIKITEI4 ,& MEMB]S (! ,KABUKAI4 ,&
DELEGATES F ! OCHAYA &! ,GEIKO ASSOCIA-
;NS4 ,& "S P ,I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE4 ,"! 7
R[S ( P SITT+ 9 FRONT (! /AGE4 ,R1DY TO
PASS JUDGE;T4
  ,I TRI$ 6MA9TA9 MY -POSURE & M.T$ !
/AGE Z CALMLY Z ,I CD4
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS TURN$ 6ME & SD "O ^W3
8.,NANOHA ,7! /ORY (A BUTT]FLY &A COLE
BLOSSOM7'40                         #BJJ
  .,OOPS1 ,I ?"\4 .,N ,TORIOI4 ..,OKAY
!N1 ? IS X4 ,GIVE X YR BE/ .%OT4
  ,I PAUS$ =A MO;T1 SD 8?ANK Y10 AC"KL-
$G$ ! PANEL ( JUDGES1 & 2GAN 6D.E4 ,I
P]=M$ ! F/ SEC;N (! PIECE FLAW.SLY4 ,B1
!N1 "R 2F ! 5D1 ,I MADE A M9USCULE MIS-
TAKE4 ,I /OPP$ 9 MY TRACKS1 MID-POSE4
  ,I TURN$ 6! A3OMPANI/ & ANN\NC$1
8,I'VE MADE A MISTAKE4 ,PL1SE 2G9 AG F !
TOP40
  ,BIG ,MI/RESS 9T]RUPT$4 8,WE N"E WD H
NOTIC$ IF Y _HN'T SD "S?+4 ,EXCUSE ME1
"EY"O1 B S9CE ,M9EKO _H ALM -PLET$ !
PIECE1 D Y M9D IF %E ONLY DOES ! LA/
SEC;N AG80
  8,( C\RSE10 !Y ALL RESPOND$4
  8,MINE-*AN1 J ! LA/ "P PL1SE40
  8,YES10 ,I SD & PROCE$$ 6F9I% ! PIECE4
  ,I ?ANK$ ! PANEL AG & LEFT ! /AGE4
  ,OLD ,M1NIE 0 PAC+ ! HALLWAY L A CAT4
,%E P\NC$ ! SECOND %E SAW ME4 8,H[ DID X
G80
  8,I MADE A MISTAKE40
  8,A MISTAKE8 ,:AT K9D ( MISTAKE8 ,0 X
BAD8 ,D Y ?9K Y FAIL$80             #BJA
  8,= SURE40
  8,OH1 DE>1 ,I HOPE N40
  8,:Y80 ,I / WASN'T TAK+ ! :OLE ?+ V
S]I\SLY4
  8,2C ,AUNTIE ,OIMA W 2 DEVA/AT$4 ,%E
IS LY+ "! ) BAT$ BR1? WAIT+ =! RESULTS4
,I 0 HOP+ 6BR+ H] GD NEWS40
  ,N[ ,I FELT RE,Y T]RI#4 ,I _H -PLETELY
=GOTT5 AB ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4 ,N ONLY 0 ,I A
L\SY D.ER1 B ,I 0 SELFI% & 4LOYAL Z
WELL4 ,! L;G] WE WAIT$ ! WORSE ,I FELT4
,AT LA/ A MEMB] (! ,KABUKAI SUMMON$ U
ALL 96! 5TR.EWAY (! ,NYOKOBA4
  8,"H >E ! RESULTS ( TD'S EXAM9,N4 ,I
AM PL1S$ 6ANN\NCE T ,MISS ,M9EKO ,IWASA-
KI HAS TAK5 F/ PLACE1 )A SCORE ( #IG
PO9TS4 ,3GRATUL,NS1 ,M9EKO40
  ,HE PROCE$$ 6PO/ A LI/ ON ! WALL4 8,"H
>E ! O!R RESULTS4 ,MY REGRETS 6^? ( Y :O
DIDN'T MAKE X40
  ,I CDN'T 2LIEVE X4 ,I ?"\ "! _H 6BE "S
K9D ( MISTAKE4 ,B "! X WAS1 9 BLACK-&-
:ITE4
  8,? CDN'T 2 BETT]10 ,OLD ,M1NIE 0
OV]JOY$4 8,AUNTIE ,OIMA IS GO+ TO   #BJB
2 2S H]F6 ,RE,Y1 ,M9EKO1 ,I AM S PR\D (
Y4 ,:AT AN A3OMPLI%;T6 ,LET'S CELEBRATE
2F GO+ HOME1 % WE8 ,LET'S 9VITE YR FRS
6JO9 U4 ,": % WE G8 ,ANY?+ Y WANT IS
OKAY4 ,X'S ON ME40 ,%E 0 ALM BA2L+4
  ,WE TOOK ! GANG 6,TAK>ABUNE = /1K4 ,X
TOOK U ="E 6GET "!4 ,OLD ,M1NIE M/ H B[$
6E P]SON WE MET AL;G ! WAY & DCLD3 8,M9-
EKO CAME 9 F/6 ,?ANK Y S M*60
  ,%E 0 ?ANK+ "EYBODY 2C %E 2LIEV$1 Z D
_M ,JAPANESE1 T X TAKES A VILLAGE 6RAISE
A *4 ,I 0 ! PRODUCT (A GR\P EF=T R ?AN
ANY GIV5 9DIVIDUAL4 ,&! GR\P 0 ,GION
,KOBU4
  ,! [N]S (! RE/AURANT 7 OLD FRS & !Y
%[]$ U ) FOOD & 3GRATUL,NS4 ,"EY"O 0
HAV+ A GD "T1 B ,I WASN'T V HAPPY4 ,"O (
! GIRLS ASK$ ME :AT 0 WR;G4
  8,J %UT UP & EAT YR /1K10 ,I SD4
  ,X'S N T ,I 0 9 A BAD MOOD4 ,"! 7 S _M
?"\S & EMO;NS RUNN+ >.D 9SIDE MY H1D4 ,I
0 GLAD ,I PASS$ ! EXAM B FELT BADLY = ^?
:O FAIL$4 ,I 0 WORRI$ SICK AB ,AUNTIE
,OIMA4 ,& ,I 0 ?9K+ AB MY REL,N%IP 6,OLD
,M1NIE4                             #BJC
  ,I _H BE5 LIV+ 9 ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA = T5
YE>S4 ,MASAKO _H ADOPT$ ME 96! FAMILY
NE>LY FIVE YE>S AGO4 ,I 0 ?9K+ AB ! FACT
T ,I _H N"E ALL[$ MYF 6CALL H] 8,"M40
  ,"O "T AF ! ADOP;N PAP]S CAME "? ,I 0
FOOL+ >.D )A WAT] PI/OL &1 9 A *ILDI%
BID = ATT5;N1 SPRAY$ H]4 ,%E CAME AF ME
& SD1 8,IF Y 7 MY R1L * ,I'D GIVE Y A GD
SPANK+40 ,X 0 L A SLAP 9 ! FACE4 ,I ?"\
,I 0 H] *4 ,K9D (1 ANYWAY4 ,I DIDN'T RE-
,Y 2L;G 6MY [N "M ANYMORE4 ,:OM DID ,I
2L;G TO8
  ,:5 ,MASAKO 0 "Y]1 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA _H
SU7E/$ 6H] T %E TRY 6H A *4 ,! KARYUKAI
FUNC;NS 6PROMOTE ! 9DEP5D;E ( WOM5 & "!
IS NO /IGMA ATTA*$ 62+ A S+LE "M4 ,Z ,I
M5;N$ E>LI]1 X IS EASI] 6RAISE GIRLS ?AN
BOYS 9 ! KARYUKAI B _M WOM5 H RAIS$ SONS
"! Z WELL4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA1 ( C\RSE1 0
HOP+ T ,MASAKO WD PRODUCE A DAU<T]1 "S"O
6C>RY ON ! FAMILY "N1 AN ATOTORI4
  ,B ,MASAKO REFUS$ 63SID] X4 ,%E _H N"E
-PLETELY GOTT5 OV] ! FACT T %E 0 ILLE-
GITIMATE & DIDN'T WANT 6PUT "S"O ELSE 9
! SAME POSI;N4 ,AL1 %E 0 PHYSIC,Y   #BJD
DEBILITAT$ F ! TUB]CULOSIS4 ,%E WASN'T
SURE %E 0 /R;G 5 6BE> A *4
  ,I DECID$ :5 ,I 0 ADOPT$ T ,I WD N"E
CALL ,OLD ,M1NIE 8,"M40 ,B N[ ,I WASN'T
S SURE4 ,:AT AB ! LA/ TWO "DS8 ,AB H[
H>D %E _H "W$ = ME8 ,AB H[ M* %E WANT$
ME 6SU3E$8 ,A R1L "M CD N H D"O M4
  ..,MAYBE ! "T HAS -E 6*ANGE MY .M9D1
,I ?"\4
  ,:5 WE F9I%$ ! M1L ,I TOOK ! PLUNGE4
,I LOOK$ DIRECTLY AT H] & SD1 8,MOM1
LET'S G HOME40
  ,! LOOK ( SURPRISE T FLA%$ ACR H] FACE
LA/$ ONLY AN 9/ANT B ,I'LL N"E =GET X4
8,YES1 % WE80 %E SMIL$4 8,?ANK Y ALL =
-+4 ,I'M S PL1S$ Y CD JO9 U40
  ,WE WALK$ BACK 6! ,IWASAKI OKIYA4 8,?
HAS BE5 "O (! BE/ "DS ( MY LIFE10 %E SD4
  ,WE RU%$ 96,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S ROOM 6TELL
H] ! GD NEWS4 ,I _H ! PRES;E ( M9D 6?ANK
H] = ALL H] EF=TS ON MY 2HALF4
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA 0 ?RILL$1 B TRI$ 6BE
COOL1 8,I N"E _H ANY D\BT T Y WD PASS4
,N"O AT ALL4 ,N[ WE H 6PLAN YR W>DROBE4
,WE'LL />T TM4 ,MASAKO1 WE'VE GOT   #BJE
6CALL ,]IMAN & ,SAITO &A HO/ ( O!RS4
,LET'S MAKE A LI/4 ,WE H S M* 6D60
  ,AUNTIE ,OIMA 0 DY+ B DIDN'T MISS A
B1T4 ,? IS :AT %E _H BE5 LIV+ =4 ,& %E
V[$ T MY DEBUT WD 2 SPECTACUL>4 ,I 0
HAPPY T %E 0 HAPPY1 B _H MIX$ EMO;NS AB
2COM+ A MAIKO4 ,I / DIDN'T ?9K X 0 :AT
,I WANT$ 6D4 ,X'S TRUE T ,I WANT$ 6KEEP
DANC+4 ,B ,I AL WANT$ 6G 6HI< S*OOL4
  ,AF ! TE/1 EV5TS />T$ MOV+ S QKLY T ,I
_H LL "T 69DULGE 9 SELF-REFLEC;N4 ,X 0
ALR ,DECEMB] #AE4 ,"M ,SAKAGU*I1 ,AUNTIE
,OIMA1 & ,MAMA ,MASAKO DECID$ T ,I WD
2COME A .MINARAI1 OR APPR5TICE MAIKO1 ON
,FEBRU>Y #AE & MAKE MY =MAL DEBUT1 OR
.MISEDASHI1 ON ,M>* #BF4
  ,! FACT T ,I 0 2COM+ A MAIKO A YE> E>-
LY M1NT T ,I WD />T CLASSES AT ! ,NYOKO-
BA 2F GRADUAT+ F JUNIOR HI< S*OOL ON
,M>* #AE4 ,& IF ,I 0 6APPE> 9 NEXT
SPR+'S ,MIYAKO ,ODORI ,I WD H 6BE AVAIL-
A# = PRESS 5GAGE;TS />T+ ! FOLL[+ MON?4
  ,! ,IWASAKI OKIYA 0 ABUZZ ) PREP>,NS =
MY -+ \ Z WELL Z ! -+ (! ,NEW ,YE>4 ,\R
RES\RCES 7 /RET*$4 ,AUNTIE ,OIMA    #BJF
0 B$RI45 & _H 6BE C>$ =4 ,! OKIYA _H 6BE
?OR\<LY CL1N$ F TOP 6BOTTOM4 ,"! 0 A
3/ANT /R1M ( PURVEYORS -+ 9 63SULT ON
V>I\S ASPECTS ( MY W>DROBE4 ,KUN-*AN1
,ABA1 & ,MAMA ,MASAKO _H _! H&S FULL &
,I SP5T E FREE SECOND ) ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4
,TOMIKO CAME 0FREQU5TLY 6ASSI/ 9 ! MAD-
;S4 ,%E 0 PREGNANT )! F/ ( H] TWO SONS1
B K9DLY HELP$ 9 ! >RANGE;TS = MY -+ \4
  ,I 0 AW>E T ! "T ,I 0 SP5D+ ) ,AUNTIE
,OIMA 0 PRECI\S4 ,%E MADE A PO9T ( TELL+
ME H[ PL1S$ %E 0 T ,I _H DECID$ 6CALL
,MASAKO "M4 8,M9EKO1 ,I "K T ,MASAKO IS
A DI6ICULT P]SON B %E IS A V GD "O4 ,%E
HAS S* A PURE HE>T T %E "S"TS -ES ACR Z
TOO S]I\S & /RAI<T=W>D4 ,B Y C ALW TRU/
H]4 ,S PL1SE 2 GD 6H]4 ,%E DOESN'T H AN
EVIL B"O 9 H] BODY4 ,N L ,YAEKO40
  ,I DID MY BE/ 6REASSURE H]4 8,I "U/&1
,AUNTIE ,OIMA4 ,PL1SE DON'T WORRY AB U4
,WE'LL 2 F9E4 ,"H1 LET ME GIVE Y A MAS-
SAGE40
  ,"O IS A MINARAI = ONLY A %ORT P]IOD1
A MON? OR TWO4 ,MINARAI M1NS LE>N+ BY
OBS]V+4 ,? IS A *.E =! SOON-TO-BE   #BJG
MAIKO 6GA9 F/H& EXP]I;E (! OCHAYA4 ,%E
WE>S A PROFES.NAL CO/UME & ATT5DS NI<TLY
BANQUETS4 ,%E OBS]VES ! 9TRICATE NU.ES (
2HAVIOR1 ETIQUETTE1 DEPORT;T1 & 3V]S,NAL
SKILL T %E W SOON H 6DEMON/RATE H]F4
  ,! MINARAI IS SPONSOR$ 0AN OCHAYA 7H]
.MINARAIJAYA71 ?\< %E IS FREE 6ATT5D
BANQUETS AT O!R V5UES4 ,%E DRESSES & RE-
PORTS 6H] OCHAYA E EV5+ = "W4 ,! [N] OR-
GANIZES H] 5GAGE;TS4 ,? IS 3V5I5T 2C !
[N]1 9 8 OR H] ROLE ( M5TOR1 IS ON SITE
6ANSW] ANY "QS T MAY >ISE4 ,X IS N UN-
-MON = [N] & MINARAI 6=M A BOND T LA/S =
YE>S4
  ,"O (! F/ DECI.NS MY ELD]S _H 6MAKE :5
,I PASS$ ! UNEXPECT$ EXAM 0 : OCHAYA WD
2 5TRU/$ ) MY C>E4 ,!Y _H A NUMB] ( OP-
;NS4 ,SAKAGU*I WOM5 CU/OM>ILY APPR5TIC$
AT ! ,TOMIYO1 ! ,IWASAKI'S AT ! ,MANKI-
KU1 & ,YAEKO _H D"O H] MINARAI AT ! ,M9-
OMATSU4 ,= "S R1SON1 MY ELD]S *OSE !
,FUSANOYA = ME4 ,I'M SURE ! R1SON _H "S-
?+ 6D ) ,GION ,KOBU POLITICS AT ! "T4
  ,ON ,JANU>Y #I ! ,KABUKAI ISSU$ A S1L$
DOCU;T LI/+ ! "NS (! GEIKO :O WD    #BJH
APPE> 9 T YE>'S ,MIYAKO ,ODORI4 ,MY "N 0
AM;G !M4 ,X 0 N[ (FICIAL4
  ,I 0 9=M$ T ! PHOTO %OOT =! PUBLIC;Y
BRO*URE WD TAKE PLACE ON ,JANU>Y #BF4 ,?
M1NT ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA _H 6PREP>E AN AU-
!NTIC 5SEM# = ME 6WE> 0T DATE4 ,! ALR
HEI<T5$ PACE (! PREP>,NS 2CAME A :IRL-
W9D4
  ,ON ,JANU>Y #BA ,I RETURN$ F MY D.E
LESSON & W5T 6%>E MY "D ) ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4
,Z ?\< %E _H BE5 WAIT+ = ME 6-E HOME1 %E
PASS$ AWAY Z SOON Z ,I SAT D[N NEXT 6H]4
,KUN-*AN 0 "! TOO4 ,WE 7 S NUMB F %OCK T
NEI ( U CRI$4 ,I REFUS$ 62LIEVE T %E 0
RE,Y G"O4
  ,I REMEMB] ,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S FUN]AL 9
%ADES ( BLACK & :ITE1 L AN OLD MOVIE4 ,X
0 A FREEZ+-COLD MORN+4 ,SN[ 0 FALL+4 ,!
GR.D 0 C>PET$ ) :ITE4 ,HUNDR$S ( M\RN]S
GA!R$ 9 ! ,IWASAKI OKIYA4 ,!Y 7 ALL WE>+
SOMB]1 BLACK M\RN+ KIMONO4
  ,A CLO? RUNN] L$ F ! GENKAN 6! ALT>
ROOM4 ,! :OLE SURFACE 0 COV]$ )A #C-9*-
HI< C>PET ( SALT4 ,X 0 A PA?WAY ( SALT1
PURE :ITE SALT4                     #BJI
  ,MAMA ,MASAKO SAT AT ! H1D (! ROOM4 ,I
SAT NEXT 6H]4 ,KUNIKO SAT NEXT 6ME4 ,!
CASKET 0 9 FRONT (! ALT>4 ,! ,BU4HI/
PRIE/S SAT 9 FRONT (! CASKET1 *ANT+ SU-
TRAS4
  ,AF ! FUN]AL WE A3OMPANI$ ! CASKET 6!
CREMATORIUM4 ,WE WAIT$ TWO H\RS :ILE !Y
CREMAT$ H]4 ,!N WE PICK$ UP "S ( H] *>R$
B"OS ) SPECIAL *OP/ICKS & PLAC$ !M 9 AN
URN4 ,! A%ES 7 :ITE4 ,WE C>RI$ ! URN
BACK 6! ,IWASAKI OKIYA & PLAC$ X ON !
ALT>4 ,! PRIE/S CAME AG & WE1 ! FAMILY1
_H A PRIVATE S]VICE4
  ,! />K 3TRA/S (! "D SEEM$ 6REFLECT !
9T5SE CL>;Y & DIGN;Y ( ,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S
LIFE4
  ,MAMA ,MASAKO 0 N[ ! PROPRIETRESS (!
,IWASAKI OKIYA4
  ,WE 3T9U$ \R PREP>,NS = MY -+ \4 ,I _H
6GET R1DY 6"PICIPATE 9 ! PLANN$ PHOTO
%OOT ON ,JANU>Y #BF1 : HAPP5$ 6BE ! SEV-
5? "D AF ,AUNTIE ,OIMA'S D1?1 ! "D ( H]
F/ MEMORIAL S]VICE4
  ,T MORN+ ,I W5T 6A MA/] HAIRDRESS] &
_H MY HAIR D"O4 ,!N ,"M ,SAKAGU*I   #BAJ
CAME 6! OKIYA 6MAKE UP MY NECK & FACE4
,I SAT 2F H]1 FEEL+ REGAL & GR[N-UP 9 MY
F/ =MAL HAIR/YLE4 ,%E LOOK$ AT ME ) AN
A*+LY T5D] EXPRES.N ( PRIDE4 ,9 T 9/ANT
,I R1LIZ$ T ,AUNTIE ,OIMA 0 D1D4 ,I BUR/
\ CRY+4 ,F9,Y4 ,! H1L+ _H 2GUN4 ,I CRI$
TWO H\RS 2F ,"M ,SAKAGU*I CD 2G9 6APPLY
MY MAKEUP & KEPT "EYBODY WAIT+4
  ,=TY-N9E "DS AF H] D1? WE BURI$ ,AUNT-
IE ,OIMA'S URN 9 ! ,IWASAKI GRAVESITE AT
,OTANI CEMET]Y4













                  #AG               #BAA

  ,! AES!TICS (! OCHAYA DERIVE F ! TRA-
DI;NAL ,JAPANESE TEA C]EMONY1 A DEM&+ >-
TI/IC 4CIPL9E T IS M CORRECTLY TRANSLAT$
Z 8! WAY ( TEA40
  ,TEA C]EMONIES >E 9TRICATELY SCRIPT$
RITUALS T CELEBRATE ! SIMPLE ACT ( 5JOY+
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  ,S TOO AT ! OCHAYA4 ,"EY?+ POSSI# IS
D"O 65SURE T ! GUE/S H AN EXQUISITE EX-
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"PY10 & IS AL ! "N (! PRIVATE ROOM 9 : !
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RELAX,N1 /IMULAT+ 3V]S,N1 & REF9$ 5T]-
TA9;T T ! OCHAYA C PROVIDE4 ,AN OZASHIKI
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EV5+4
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/RET*ES BACK G5],NS4
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CASES A CU/OM] MAY PATRONIZE TWO    #BAC
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9=MAL SOCIALIZ+1 B MO/ (T5 UTILIZES "O
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OCHAYA & XS REGUL> CU/OM]S1 _M ( :OM HO/
OZASHIKI AT L1/ ONCE A WEEK1 IF N M (T54
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)! GEIKO ( :OM !Y >E MO/ FOND4 ,WE GET
6"K \R REGUL> CU/OM]S V WELL4 ,"S (!
DE>E/ REL,N%IPS ( MY LIFE 2GAN 9 ! OZA-
SHIKI4 ,MY FAVORITE CU/OM]S 7 PROFES.N-
ALS :O 7 EXP]T 9 "S FIELD ( K4 ,! MO/
5JOYA# OZASHIKI = ME P]SON,Y 7 ^? 9 : ,I
LE>N$ "S?+4
  ,"! 7 "S CU/OM]S ,I LIK$ S M* T ,I ALW
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TI<TLY MY S*$ULE 0 BOOK$4 ,& O!RS ,I
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9 ! PLACE ( HONOR & 5GAGE T P]SON 9 3V]-
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8,I C'T /& Y10 %E DOESN'T DES]VE 6BE A
GEIKO4 ,X IS H] JOB 6F9D "S?+ LIKA# AB
"EY"O4
  ,"S"TS ,I _H 6BE NICE 6P :OM ,I F.D
PHYSIC,Y REPULSIVE4 ,? 0 ! H>DE/ 2C RE-
PUL.N IS A DI6ICULT REAC;N 63C1L4 ,B !
CU/OM]S _H PD = MY -PANY4 ,! L1/ ,I CD D
0 TR1T E "O ( !M GRACI\SLY4 ,SUBLIMAT+
"O'S P]SONAL LIKES & 4LIKES "U A V5E] (
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?US BE5 TRA9$ 6"U/& :AT !Y 7 SEE+ & 7
EAG] 65GAGE 9 ! SORT ( LIVELY >TI/IC DI-
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"DS1 UN=TUNATELY1 P ( M1NS MAY NO L;G] H
! "T & 9T]E/ 6PURSUE S* HO2IES4 ,H["E1 !
B1UTY & MA/]Y (! MAIKO & GEIKO /& ON _!
[N & C 2 APPRECIAT$ 0ANY"O4
  ,3V]S,N AT A BANQUET IS WIDE-RANG+1 &
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EV5TS & 3TEMPOR>Y LIT]ATURE Z       #BAE
WELL Z ?OR\<LY GR.D$ 9 TRADI;NAL >T =MS
S* Z ! TEA C]EMONY1 FL[] >RANG+1 POETRY1
CALLIGRAPHY1 & PA9T+4 ,! F/ =TY OR FIFTY
M9UTES (A BANQUET >E NORM,Y DEVOT$ 6A
PL1SANT 4CUS.N ( ^! TOPICS4
  ,S]V+ WOM5 7.NAIKAI7 S]VE ! BANQUET1
ASSI/$ 0MAIDS1 ?\< ! GEIKO W P\R SAKE4
,NE$.S 6SAY1 ! CUIS9E M/ 2 EXCELL5T4
,OCHAYA D N PREP>E _! [N FOOD B RELY ON
! _M G\RMET RE/AURANTS & CAT]+ S]VICES
7.SHIDASHI7 9 ! >EA 6PROVIDE F1/S -M5SU-
RATE )! HO/'S TA/ES & POCKETBOOK4
  ,! FEE =A BANQUET AT AN OCHAYA IS N
9EXP5SIVE4 ,AN OZA%IKI CO/S AB 4#EJJ AN
H\R4 ,? 9CLUDES ! USE (! ROOM &! S]VICES
(! OCHAYA /AFF4 ,X DOES N 9CLUDE ! FOOD
& DR9K T IS ORD]$1 NOR ! FEES =! S]VICES
(! GEIKO4 ,A TWO-H\R "PY )A FULL D9N] =A
FEW GUE/S & ?REE OR F\R GEIKO 9 ATT5D.E
C EASILY CO/ 4#B1JJJ4
  ,! OCHAYA M/ MEET ! 4CRIM9AT+ /&>DS (
CU/OM]S F ! TOP RANKS ( ,JAPANESE & 9T]-
N,NAL SOCIETY4 ,HI/ORIC,Y BAS$ ON ! RE-
F9$ AES!TIC (! TEA C]EMONY1 ! OCHAYA
EMBODIES ! BE/ ( TRADI;NAL ,JAPA-   #BAF
NESE >*ITECTURE & 9T]IOR DESIGN4 ,EA*
ROOM M/ H A TATAMI FLOOR &A TOKONOMA
7ALCOVE7 REPLETE )! APPROPRIATE MON?LY
HANG+ SCROLL &A SUITA# >RANGE;T ( FL[]S
9 A SUITA# VASE4 ,^! AM5ITIES >E -PLETE-
LY *ANG$ = EA* GUE/4
  ,AT "S PO9T ! GEIKO P]=M4 ,"! >E BASI-
C,Y TWO K9DS ( GEIKO1 A .TACHIKATA &A
.JIKATA4 ,A TACHIKATA IS A MA9 P]=M]4
,%E IS TRA9$ 6D.E & PLAY AN 9/RU;T O!R
?AN ! SHAMISEN1 S* Z ! FLUTE OR H& DRUM4
,A JIKATA IS AN A3OMPANI/ :O IS TRA9$ TO
PLAY ! SHAMISEN & S+4 ,TACHIKATA 2G9 _!
TRA9+ E>LY & DEBUT Z MAIKO :5 !Y >E 9 _!
E>LY TE5S ":AS JIKATA1 :O -E \ Z ORD9>Y
GEIKO1 T5D 6/UDY =A %ORT] P]IOD ( "T &
DEBUT :5 !Y >E OLD] 7S* Z MY SI/] ,TOMI-
KO74
  ,PHYSICAL B1UTY IS A REQUIRE;T 62COME
A TACHIKATA B N A JIKATA4 ,TACHIKATA :O
D N DEVELOP 96SKILL;L D.ERS FOCUS ON BE-
-+ EXP]T 9 ! PLAY+ ( _! 9/RU;T4
  ,! ,IWASAKI OKIYA 0 "KN = XS DRUMM+1 &
,I /UDI$ ! .TSUTSUMI H& DRUM F ! "T ,I 0
A *4 ,2C ( MY FAME Z A D.ER ,I 0    #BAG
R>ELY ASK$ 6PLAY ! TSUTSUMI AT OZASHIKI1
B ,I PLAY$ X ON /AGE E YE> DUR+ ! ,MIYA-
KO ,ODORI4
  ,DUR+ A BANQUET1 A TACHIKATA W D.E4 ,A
JIKATA GEIKO W PLAY ! SHAMISEN & S+4 ,AF
! P]=M.E1 3V]S,N (T5 TURNS 6>TI/IC MAT-
T]S4 ,! GEIKO MAY TELL AN AMUS+ /ORY OR
L1D ! GR\P 9 A DR9K+ GAME4
  ,A GEIKO'S FEE IS CALCULAT$ 9 UNITS (
"T "KN Z .HANADAI1 OR 8FL[] *>GES10 USU-
,Y CALCULAT$ 9 FIFTE5-M9UTE L5G?S1 : >E
!N BILL$ 6! CLI5T4 ,9 A4I;N 6! HANADAI1
CU/OM]S AL GIVE ! GEIKO CA% TIPS
7.GOSHUGI71 : !Y PLACE 9 SMALL :ITE 5VE-
LOPES & MAY TUCK 96H] OBI OR SLEEVE4 ,%E
IS FREE 6KEEP ^! = H]F4
  ,AT ! 5D (! NI<T1 ! OCHAYA CALCULATES
! HANADAI = ALL ! MAIKO & GEIKO :O H AT-
T5D$ BANQUETS "! T EV5+4 ,!Y WRITE !
TALLIES D[N ON SLIPS ( PAP] T !Y PLACE 9
A BOX 9 ! 5TRYWAY (! OCHAYA4 ,! NEXT
MORN+ A REPRES5TATIVE (! .KENBAN1 OR FI-
NANCIAL A6AIRS (FICE1 MAKES ! R.DS (!
OCHAYA 6COLLECT ALL ! SLIPS F ! NI<T 2F4
,^! >E TALLI$ & REPORT$ 6! ,KABU-   #BAH
KAI4 ,! KENBAN IS AN 9DEP5D5T ORGANIZ,N
T P]=MS ? S]VICE ON 2HALF (! GEIKO ASSO-
CI,N4
  ,! KENBAN *ECKS )! OKIYA 6MAKE SURE T
! A3.TS AGREE1 &1 IF NO MISTAKE HAS BE5
MADE1 CALCULATES ! 4TRIBU;N ( 9COME4 ,X
TELLS ! OCHAYA H[ M* IS DUE X 6PAY TAXES
& MON?LY FEES4 ,X !N SPECIFIES ! AM.T T
! OCHAYA IS 6PAY ! OKIYA4
  ,! OCHAYA1 9 TURN1 KEEPS XS [N A3.TS &
BILLS XS CU/OM]S ON A REGUL> BASIS4 ,?
US$ 6BE D"O ON A YE>LY BASIS B IS N[ D"O
ONCE A MON?4 ,AF 2+ PD1 ! OCHAYA !N SET-
TLES )! OKIYA4
  ,! OKASAN (! OKIYA NOTES ! AM.T RCVD 9
! GIEKO'S L$G]1 DEDUCTS FEES & EXP5DI-
TURES1 & TRANSF]S ! REMA9D] 6! GEIKO'S
A3.T4
  ,? TRANSP>5T SY/EM ( A3.T+ M1NS T WE
"K : GEIKO DID ! MO/ BUSI;S ON ANY GIV5
"D4 ,X IS ALW CLE> :O IS ,NUMB] ,"O4

  ,FEBRU>Y #AE 0 A BIG "D4 ,I 2GAN RE-
HE>SALS =! ,MIYAKO ,ODORI1 />T$ FULL-"T
CLASSES AT ! ,NYOKOBA 7,I TOOK !    #BAI
LA/ MON? ( JUNIOR HI< S*OOL (F7 & 2GAN
MY APPR5TICE%IP Z A MINARAI AT ! ,FUSA-
NOYA OCHAYA1 : LA/$ = AB A MON?4
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I CAME 6! OKIYA 6OV]SEE !
PROCESS ( GETT+ ME DRESS$ & 6D MY MAKEUP
H]F4
  ,X 0 Q A PRODUC;N4
  ,A MAIKO 9 FULL CO/UME CLOSELY APPROX-
IMATES ! ,JAPANESE ID1L ( FEM99E B1UTY4
  ,%E HAS ! CLASSIC LOOKS (A ,HEIAN PR9-
CESS1 Z ?\< %E MI<T H /EPP$ \ ( AN
ELEV5?-C5TURY SCROLL PA9T+4 ,H] FACE IS
A P]FECT OVAL4 ,H] SK9 IS :ITE & FLAW.S1
H] HAIR BLACK Z A RAV5'S W+4 ,H] BR[S >E
HALF MOONS1 H] M\? A DELICATE ROSEBUD4
,H] NECK IS L;G & S5SU\S1 H] FIGURE G5-
TLY R.D$4
  ,I W5T 6! HAIRDRESS] & _H MY HAIR D"O
UP 9 ! .WARESHINOBU /YLE1 ! F/ HAIR/YLE
A MAIKO WE>S4 ,! HAIR IS SWEPT UP &
SCULPT$ 96A MASS ON ! TOP (! H1D T IS
SECUR$ 0R$ SILK B&S 7.KANOKO7 FRONT &
BACK & DECORAT$ ) .KANZASHI1 ! /ICK P9
ORNA;TS S 4T9CTIVE (! KARYUKAI LOOK4 ,X
IS SD T ? SIMPLE1 ELEGANT /YLE      #BBJ
%[CASES ! CURVE (! "Y GIRL'S NECK &!
FRE%;S ( H] F1TURES 6_! BE/ ADVANTAGE4
  ,AF F9I%+ AT ! HAIRDRESS]S1 ,I W5T 6!
B>B]%OP 6H MY FACE %AV$1 A -MON PRACTICE
AM;G ,JAPANESE WOM54 ,MY FACE 0 %AV$ =!
F/ "T 0MY "F AF HE GAVE ME MY F/ HAIR-
CUT1 ON ! "D ,I TURN$ "O YE> OLD4 ,I H
_H X D"O ONCE A MON? S9CE !N4
  ,AF 2COM+ A MAIKO1 ,I W5T 6! HAIR-
DRESS]S ONCE E FIVE "DS4 ,6PRES]VE !
%APE (! HAIR/YLE1 ,I SLEPT ON A RECTAN-
GUL> LACQU]$ WOOD5 PILL[ TOPP$ )A N>R[
CU%ION4 ,AT F/ ! PILL[ KEPT ME AWAKE B
,I SOON GOT US$ 6X4 ,O!R GIRLS F.D X M
DI6ICULT4 ,! OKIYA _H A TRICK 6KEEP U F
REMOV+ ! PILL[ DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,! MAIDS WD
SPR9KLE RICE BRAN >.D ! PILL[4 ,IF A
GIRL REMOV$ ! PILL[1 BITS ( BRAN /UCK L
GLUE 6! POMADE 9 H] HAIR &! NEXT MORN+
%E _H 6MAKE AN UNHAPPY TRIP BACK 6!
HAIRDRESS]S4
  ,I WORE TWO HAIRP9S TIPP$ ) SILK PLUM
BLOSSOMS 72C X 0 ,FEBRU>Y7 ON ! SIDES (!
BACK (! BUN1 A PAIR ( SILV] FLUTT]S
7.BIRA7 ON ! SIDES 9 FRONT1 AN      #BBA
ORANGE BLOSSOM P9 7.TACHIBANA7 ON TOP1 &
A L;G P9 TIPP$ ) BALLS ( R$ CORAL 7.AKA-
DAMA7 & JADE1 9S]T$ HORIZONT,Y "? !
BASE4
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I APPLI$ ! MAIKO'S 4T9C-
TIVE :ITE MAKEUP 6MY FACE & NECK4 ,?
MAKEUP HAS AN 9T]E/+ HI/ORY4 ,ORIG9,Y X
0 WORN 0MALE >I/OCRATS :5 !Y _H AN AUDI-
;E )! EMP]OR4 ,9 PREMOD]N "TS ! EMP]OR1
3SID]$ A SACR$ PRES;E1 RCVD 8 SUBJECTS
:ILE HI45 F _! SI<T 0A ?9 SCRIM4 ,! AU-
DI;E *AMB] 0 LIT 0C&LELI<T4 ,! :ITE
MAKEUP REFLECT$ :AT"E LI<T "! WAS1 MAK+
X EASI] =! EMP]OR 64T+UI% :O 0 :O4
  ,D.ERS & ACTORS LAT] TOOK UP ! PRAC-
TICE4 ,N ONLY DOES ! :ITE MAKEUP LOOK
WELL ON /AGE1 B X AL E*OES ! VALUE PLAC$
ON LI<T SK94 ,9 OLD5 "DS ! MAKEUP 3TA9$
Z9C1 : 0 V BAD =! SK94 ,B ? IS NO L;G] !
CASE4
  ,"M ,SAKAGU*I NEXT BRU%$ P9K P[D] ON
MY *EEKS & EYEBR[S4 ,%E PUT A SPOT ( R$
LIP/ICK ON MY L[] LIP4 7,A YE> LAT] ,I
2GAN 6WE> LIP/ICK ON MY UPP] LIP Z
WELL47 ,!N X 0 "T 6GET DRESS$4      #BBB
  ,! KIMONO T A MAIKO WE>S IS CALL$ A
.HIKIZURI4 ,X DI6]S F AN ORD9>Y KIMONO 9
T X HAS L;G SLEEVES &A WIDE TRA91 & IS
WORN SLUNG L[ ON ! BACK (! NECK4 ,! HEM
(! TRA9 IS WEI<T$ & FANS \ 2H 9 A LOVELY
>C4 ,! HIKIZURI IS SECUR$ )A "PICUL>LY
L;G OBI 7OV] #BJ FEET L;G7 T IS TI$ 9
BACK ) BO? 5DS DANGL+ D[N4 ,A MINARAI'S
KIMONO IS SIMIL> 6T (A MAIKO1 B NEI !
TRA9 NOR ! OBI IS Z L;G2 ! DANGL+ POR;N
(! OBI IS HALF ! L5G? (! MAIKO'S4
  ,MY KIMONO 0 MADE \ ( FIGUR$ SAT9 9
V>IEGAT$ TURQUOISE4 ,! H1VY HEM (! TRA9
0 DY$ 9 %ADES ( BURNT ORANGE1 AG/ :
FLOAT$ A DRIFT ( P9E NE$LES1 MAPLE
L1VES1 *]RY BLOSSOMS & *RYSAN!MUM PET-
ALS4 ,MY OBI 0 MADE ( BLACK DAMASK DECO-
RAT$ ) SWALL[TAIL BUTT]FLIES4 ,I WORE A
MAT*+ OBI CLASP (A SWALL[TAIL BUTT]FLY
FA%ION$ \ ( SILV]4
  ,I C>RI$ ! TRADI;NAL H&BAG CALL$ A
.KAGO1 : HAS A BASKETW1VE BASE TOPP$ 0A
DRAW/R+ P\* ( COLOR;L TIE-DY$ SILK1
.SHIBORI1 : IS MADE 0TY+ SILK 96A MYRIAD
( M9UTE KNOTS ) ?R1D 2F X IS DY$4   #BBC
,! RESULT IS A /UNN+ DAPPL$ E6ECT4 ,KYO-
TO IS FAM\S = ? TE*NIQUE4 ,X IS ! "O T 0
PRACTIC$ 0MY "M4
  ,! SHIBORI ( MY H&BAG 0 PALE P1* &
SPORT$ A DESIGN ( CA2AGE BUTT]FLIES4 ,X
HELD MY DANC+ FAN 7DECORAT$ )! ?REE R$
DIAMONDS (! ,KONOE FAMILY ,7CLOSE ADVIS-
]S 6! EMP]OR7' PA9T$ ON A GOLD BACK-
GR.D71 A R$-&-:ITE H& T[EL DECORAT$ 9 A
MAT*+ PATT]N1 A BOXWOOD -B1 & V>I\S O!R
A3ESSORIES4 ,ALL ( ^! 7 5CAS$ 9 COV]S
MADE F ! SAME SILK Z ! BAG1 & ALL ( !M 7
MONOGRAMM$4
  ,AT LA/ ,I 0 DRESS$ & R1DY 6G4 ,I
/EPP$ D[N 96MY OKOBO &! MAID SLID OP5 !
FRONT DOOR4 ,I 0 AB 6/EP OV] ! L9TEL :5
,I /OPP$ 9 SURPRISE4 ,! /REET 0 MO2$ )
P1 PACK$ %\LD] 6%\LD]4 ,"! 0 NO WAY ,I 0
GO+ \ 96T4
  ,I TURN$ >.D 9 3FU.N4
  8,KUN-*AN1 ,I DON'T "K :AT'S GO+ ON B
"! >E A MILLION P 9 ! /REET4 ,C ,I WAIT
UNTIL !Y'VE G"O80
  8,DON'T 2 SILLY1 ,M9EKO4 ,!Y >E "H TO
SEE Y40                             #BBD
  ,I KNEW T P 7 LOOK+ =W>D 6MY DEBUT Z A
MAIKO B _H NO IDEA (! DEGREE4 ,_M P _H
BE5 ANTICIPAT+ ? MO;T = YE>S4
  ,VOICES CALL$ F ! \TSIDE3
  8,-E \1 ,M9EKO6 ,LET U SEE H[ B1UTI;L
Y >E60
  8,I C'T FACE ALL ^? P4 ,I'LL J WAIT
UNTIL ! CR[D ?9S40
  8,M9EKO1 ^! P >E N GO+ ANY":4 ,IGNORE
!M IF Y M/1 B X IS HI< "T 6GET GO+4 ,Y
C'T 2 LATE ON YR F/ "D40
  ,I / REFUS$4 ,I DIDN'T WANT ALL ^? P
LOOK+ AT ME4 ,KUNIKO 0 GETT+ FRU/RAT$4
,! WALK] F ! ,FUSANOYA 0 WAIT+ \TSIDE TO
ESCORT ME4 ,%E 0 GETT+ ANNOY$4 ,KUNIKO 0
TRY+ 6PLACATE H] & GET ME MOV+ AT ! SAME
"T4
  ,F9,Y1 %E R1D ME ! RIOT ACT4 8,Y H 6D
X = ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4 ,? IS :AT %E ALW
WANT$4 ,DON'T Y D>E 4APPO9T H]40
  ,I KNEW %E 0 "R4 ,I _H NO *OICE4
  ,I TURN$ AG T[>D ! DOOR4 ,I TOOK A
DEEP BR1? & ?"\1 ..,OKAY ,DAD4 ,MOM4
,OKAY ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4 ,"H ,I .G6 ,I LET \
A S(T DET]M9$ GRUNT & LIFT$ MY      #BBE
FOOT OV] ! ?RE%OLD4
  ,ANO!R BRIDGE4 ,ANO!R PASSAGE4
  ,! CR[D BUR/ \ 96A D1F5+ R.D ( AP-
PLAUSE4 ,P CALL$ \ ^WS ( 3GRATUL,NS &
PRAISE B ,I 0 TOO MORTIFI$ 6HE> !M4 ,I
KEPT MY FACE D[N1 EYES HI451 ALL ! WAY
6! ,FUSANOYA4 ,! :OLE R\TE 0 CLO7$ )
WELL-WI%]S & X 0 Q LATE 0! "T WE W5D$ \R
WAY "? !M4 ,I DIDN'T SEE !M1 B ,I AM
SURE MY P>5TS 7 "!4
  ,! MA/] 7.OTOSAN1 OR "F7 (! OCHAYA
IMMLY SCOLD$ ME = 2+ LATE4 8,"! IS NO
EXCUSE = S* T>DI;S1 "Y LADY1 ESPECI,Y ON
YR F/ "D4 ,X %[S A LACK ( D$IC,N & FO-
CUS4 ,Y >E A MINARAI N[4 ,ACT L "O40
  ,X 0 CLE> T HE 0 TAK+ 8 RESPONSIBILI-
TIES T[>D ME S]I\SLY4
  8,YES1 SIR10 ,I ANSW]$ CRISPLY4
  8,& /OP US+ /&>D ,JAPANESE4 ,SP1K \R
LANGUAGE4 ,SAY .HEI 9/1D ( .HAE40
  8.,HAE1 PL1SE =GIVE ME40
  8,Y M1N ,8.HEI1 .ERAISUNMAHEN40'
,DON'T /OP "W+ ON ? UNTIL Y S.D L A
PROP] GEIKO40
  8.,HAE40                          #BBF
  ,IF Y REMEMB]1 ? IS ! SAME CRITICISM
,I RCVD F ,BIG ,MI/RESS :5 ,I 0 FIVE4 ,X
TOOK YE>S UNTIL ,I 0 TRULY FLU5T 9 !
MELLIFLU\S1 POETIC,Y VAGUE1 &1 = ME1
DI6ICULT1 IDIOM (! 4TRICT4 ,N[ X IS H>D
= ME 6SP1K ANY?+ ELSE4
  ,! OKASAN (! ,FUSANOYA 0 M 5C\RAG+4
8,DON'T WORRY DE>4 ,X MAY TAKE A :ILE1 B
,I AM SURE Y W MA/] X 9 NO "T4 ,J D YR
BE/40
  ,I RESPOND$ WELL 6H] K9D;S4 ,%E 2CAME
A GUID+ LI<T1 A PILOT :O HELP$ ME NAVI-
GATE ! TR1*]\S WAT]S T LAY AH1D4











                  #AH               #BBG

  ,T NI<T ,I ATT5D$ MY F/ OZASHIKI4 ,!
GUE/ ( HONOR 0 A G5TLEMAN F ! ,WE/4 ,!
TRANSLATOR EXPLA9$ 6HM T ,I 0 AN APPR5-
TICE MAIKO & T ? 0 MY F/ APPE>.E 9 PUB-
LIC AT A BANQUET4
  ,! GUE/ TURN$ 6ASK ME A "Q & ,I DID MY
BE/ 6ANSW] HM 9 MY S*OOLGIRL ,5GLI%4
  8,D Y "E G 6SEE ,AM]ICAN MOVIES80
  8,YES1 ,I D40
  8,D Y "K ! "NS ( ANY ,AM]ICAN ACTORS80
  8,I "K ,JAMES ,D1N40
  8,:AT AB DIRECTORS80
  8,I "K ! "N ( "O DIRECTOR4 ,8 "N IS
,ELIA ,KAZAN40
  8,:Y1 ?ANK Y4 ,T'S ME4 ,I'M ,ELIA ,KA-
ZAN40
  8,NO1 Y'RE KI4+6 ,RE,Y6 ,I _H NO
IDEA10 ,I EXCLAIM$ 9 ,JAPANESE4 ,! !ME
S;G F .,EA/ .( .,$5 0 POPUL> AT ! "T4
,"EYBODY 0 HUMM+ X4 ,? SEEM$ L AN AUSPI-
CI\S 2G9N+ 6MY C>E]4
  ,B A CL\D SOON LOOM$ ON ! HORIZON4 ,!
TRANSLATOR TOLD ,MR4 ,KAZAN T ,I 0
PLANN+ ON 2+ A D.ER & HE ASK$ IF    #BBH
HE CD SEE ME D.E4 ,? WASN'T NORM,Y D"O
7S9CE ,I _HN'T YET MADE MY =MAL DEBUT7 B
,I AGRE$ & S5T = AN A3OMPANI/ 7JIKATA74
  ,%E & ,I MET 9 ! NEXT ROOM 6PREP>E4
  8,:AT NUMB] D Y WANT ME 6PLAY80 %E
:ISP]$4
  ,I DREW AN ABSOLUTE BLANK4
  8,OH1 UMM10 ,I FUM#D4
  8,H[ AB .,GIONKOUTA ,7,8! BALLAD (!
,GION0'7'80
  8,I DON'T "K T "O40
  8,WELL1 :AT AB ..,! ,S1SONS 9
.,KYOTO80
  8,I HAV5'T LE>N$ T "O YET40
  8.,AKEBONO ,7,8DAWN0'7'80
  8,DON'T "K T "O EI40
  8,Y'RE ,FUMI*IYO'S DAU<T] >5'T Y8 ,Y
M/ 2 A# 6D.E "S?+40
  ,WE 7 SUPPOS$ 6KEEP \R VOICES D[N B
H]S KEPT GETT+ L\D] & L\D]4 ,I 0 AFRAID
! GUE/S WD OV]HE>4
  8,? IS MY F/ BANQUET1 S ,I DON'T "K
:AT 6D4 ,PL1SE DECIDE = ME40
  8,Y M1N Y HAV5'T />T$ 6LE>N ! MAIKO
D.ES YET80                          #BBI
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4
  8,WELL1 9 T CASE WE'LL H 6"W ) :AT WE
H4 ,:AT >E Y LE>N+ "R N[80
  ,I RECIT$ A LI/4 8.,SHAKKYOU ,7A /ORY
AB A LION & H] CUBS7'1 .,MATSUZUKUSHI
,7A /ORY AB A P9E TREE7'1 .,SHISHA ,7!
/ORY (A 3TE/ AM;G F\R -PANIONS (! EMP]OR
RID+ 9 F\R OXC>TS7'1 .,NANOHA ,7! /ORY (
! BUTT]FLY &! COLE BLOSSOM7' '''0 ,N"O (
^! D.ES >E 9 ! /&>D MAIKO REP]TOIRE4
  8,I DON'T H MY BOOK ) ME TD1 & ,I'M N
SURE IF ,I REMEMB] H[ 6PLAY ANY ( ^? BY
HE>T4 ,D Y "K .,IMP]IAL .,HORSE .,C>T80
  8,YES1 ,I D4 ,LET'S TRY T "O40
  ,I DIDN'T H A LOT ( 3FID;E 9 H] ABIL;Y
6REMEMB] ! S;G1 &1 9 FACT1 %E DID MAKE A
FEW MISTAKES4 ,I 0 A WRECK1 B ! GUE/S
DIDN'T APPE> 6"K ! DI6];E4 ,!Y SEEM$ DE-
LI<T$ )! P]=M.E4 ,I 0 EXHAU/$4
  ,MY SECOND "D'S J\RNEY 96! _W Z A
GEIKO WASN'T Z DI6ICULT Z ! F/4 ,I 0 A#
6HOLD MY H1D A LL HI<] & >RIV$ AT !
,FUSANOYA ON "T4
  ,! OCHAYA _H A3EPT$ A RES]V,N = ME TO
ATT5D A D9N] AT ! ,TSURUYA RE/AU-   #BCJ
RANT 9 ,OKAZAKI4 ,GEIKO D N 5T]TA9 ONLY
AT OCHAYA1 B AL P]=M AT PRIVATE D9N]S 9
EXCLUSIVE RE/AURANTS1 HOTEL BALLROOMS1 &
! L4 ,! OKASAN (! ,FUSANOYA A3OMPANI$ ME
6! EV5T4
  ,X IS CU/OM>Y =! MO/ JUNIOR GEIKO 65T]
A BANQUET ROOM F/4 ,! OKASAN (! ,FUSA-
NOYA TOLD ME :AT 6D4 8,OP5 ! DOOR1 C>RY
9 ! E>!NW>E SAKE BOTTLE1 & B[ 6! GUE/S40
  ,Z SOON Z ,I OP5$ ! DOOR1 MY ATT5;N
FLEW 6! MAGNIFIC5T 4PLAY ( DOLLS T 0 SET
ON A PLAT=M NEXT 6! F> WALL4 ,^! M9IA-
TURES (! ,IMP]IAL ,C\RT >E "P (! ,GIRLS
,"D CELEBR,N T TAKES PLACE 9 ! E>LY
SPR+4 ,)\T ?9K+1 ,I MADE A BEEL9E =!
DOLLS1 WALK+ "R 9 FRONT (! T5 GUE/S4
8,^! >E S B1UTI;L10 ,I GU%$4
  ,! ,FUSANOYA OKASAN 2CAME RATTL$ &
REPRIM&$ ME 9 A HO>SE :ISP]1 8,M9EKO6
,S]VE ! GUE/S60
  8,OOPS4 ,( C\RSE40 ,! FLASK WASN'T 9
MY H&4 ,I LOOK$ >.D & "! X WAS1 SITT+ =-
LORNLY 0! DOOR1 ": ,I _H LEFT X4 ,LUCKI-
LY ! GUE/S 7 *>M$ R ?AN (F5D$ 0MY
9EPTITUDE4 ,I HE> T "S (! P :O 7    #BCA
"! T "D / *UCKLE AB X4
  ,I GOT DRESS$ & W5T 6! ,FUSANOYA E
AFN4 ,:5 ,I WASN'T O!RWISE 5GAG$ ,I ATE
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*AN 9 ! LIV+ ROOM (! OCHAYA4 ,WE PLAY$
C>DS UNTIL X 0 "T = ME 6RETURN 6! OKIYA
AT T54
  ,"O NI<T WE RCVD A CALL F ! OKASAN (!
OCHAYA ,TOMIYO ASK+ ME 6-E OV]4 ,:5 ,I
GOT "! ! OKASAN U%]$ ME 96A BANQUET
ROOM4 ,X _H A /AGE & ON ! /AGE "! 7 AT
L1/ FIFTE5 MAIKO L9$ UP NEXT 6EA* O!R4
,I 0 ASK$ 6JO9 !M4 ,I FELT %Y & TRI$ TO
3C1L MYF 9 ! %AD[ (A PILL>4
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,"O ( !M SD1 8,EXCUSE ME1 Y "! 0! PILL>4
,-E =W>D4 ,SIT D[N4 ,N[ /&4 ,TURN 6!
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L>GE IMAGES1 #C FEET 0#I FEET1 >E   #BCB
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MAIKO'S DR1M4
  ,! MODEL = T YE>'S PO/] _H ALR BE5
*OS5 S ,I DIDN'T "K :AT HE 0 TALK+ AB4
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  8,I'M N SURE4 ,"S?+40
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C5T]FOLD 9 ! ,MIYAKO ,ODORI PROGRAM4
,T'S A BIG D1L1 Y "K4 ,& N[ Y'VE BE5
PICK$ = "S?+ ELSE4 ,I DON'T WANT 6PUT A
DAMP] ON ALL ? GD NEWS1 B ,I'M WORRI$ T
P >E GO+ 6BE J1L\S ( Y4 ,I WANT Y 6BE
C>E;L4 ,GIRLS C 2 V M1N40
  8,!N LET "O ( !M D X1 IF X'S S* A BIG
D1L4 ,I DON'T C>E40
  8,I'M AFRAID X DOESN'T "W T WAY40
  8,B ,I DON'T WANT !M 6BE M1N 6ME40
  8,I "K1 ,M9EKO4 ,"! ISN'T M* Y C D TO
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>E >\S+4 ,I DON'T WANT Y 6BE SURPRIS$40
  8,I DON'T "U/&40                  #BCC
  8,I WI% ,I CD EXPLA940
  8,I HATE -PLIC,NS L ?4 ,I L "EY?+ 6BE
CLE> & SIMPLE40
  ,IF ONLY ,I _H "KN4
  ,! OKASAN'S ^WS 7 A G5TLE PORT5T (!
EXCRUCIAT+ TOR;T T ,I 0 DE/9$ 6SU6] =!
NEXT FIVE YE>S4
  ,X />T$ ! NEXT MORN+ :5 ,I GOT 6CLASS4
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  ,X TURNS \ T ! PRESID5T (! ,KIMONO
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PICK$ E>LI] 9 FAVOR ( ME4 ,P 7 9FURIAT$
0:AT !Y SAW Z MY PREMATURE VAULT 96A TOP
POSI;N4 ,I WASN'T EV5 A MAIKO YET4 ,I 0
/ A MINARAI4 ,EV5 GIRLS :O ,I ?"\ 7 MY
FRS WDN'T TALK 6ME4 ,I 0 HURT & ANGRY4
,I _HN'T D"O ANY?+ WR;G6
  ,B Z ,I SOON LE>N$1 X DIDN'T MATT]4 ,L
_M ALL-FEMALE SOCIETIES1 ! ,GION ,KOBU
IS FRAU<T ) 9TRIGUE1 BACK/A2+1 & VICI\S
-PETITIVE REL,N%IPS4 ,! RIGID;Y (! SY/EM
MAY H CAUS$ ME YE>S ( FRU/R,N1 B ! YE>S
( RIVALRY CAUS$ ME TRUE SAD;S4
  ,I / DIDN'T "U/& :Y "S"O WD WANT 6HURT
"SBODY ELSE4 ,ESPECI,Y IF T P]SON   #BCD
_HN'T D"O ANY?+ 6MAKE ! O!R P]SON FEEL
BAD4 ,I TRI$ 6BE PRAGMATIC & -E UP )A
PLAN4 ,I "W$ ON X = "DS4 ,I TRI$ 6IMAG9E
E ANGLE4
  ,:AT MI<T ^! M1N GIRLS D8 ,& H[ WD ,I
RESPOND8 ,IF "S"O 0 AB 6GRAB MY FOOT1 %D
,I LIFT X S HI< T !Y CDN'T R1* X8
  ,I CAME UP )A FEW ID1S4 ,9/1D ( GIV+ 9
6_! J1L\SY & M9IMIZ+ MY SKILLS1 ,I DE-
CID$ 62COME ! BE/ D.ER T ,I CD POSSIBLY
BE4 ,I WD TRY 6TRANS=M J1L\SY 96ADMIR,N4
,!N !Y WD WANT 62COME L ME & 2 MY FR4 ,I
V[$ 6/UDY EV5 H>D]6 ,6PRACTICE L;G]
H\RS6 ,I WDN'T GIVE UP UNTIL ,I 0 ,NUMB]
,"O6
  ,I SIMPLY _H 6MAKE "EYBODY L ME4
  ,OKAY1 N[1 IF ,I WANT$ "EY"O 6L ME1 !
F/ ?+ ,I _H 6D 0 ID5TIFY MY W1K;SES &
CORRECT !M4
  ,I 0 S]I\S AB ? 9 ! WAY T ONLY AN ADO-
LESC5T C BE4
  ,MY "DS & NI<TS 7 FULL ( ACTIV;Y1 B ,I
/OLE :AT"E "T ,I CD = MY 9TELLECTUAL
H\SEKEEP+4 ,I SAT 0MYF 9 ! D>K (! CLOSET
OR ! SIL;E (! ALT> ROOM & POND]$4   #BCE
,I TALK$ 6,AUNTIE ,OIMA4
  ,"H >E "S (! FAULTS ,I CAME UP )3

  ,I H A %ORT TEMP]4
  ,:5 ,I'M FAC$ )A DI6ICULT DECI.N ,I (-
T5 D ! OPPOSITE ( :AT ,I WANT 6D4
  ,I'M TOO QK4 ,I WANT 6F9I% "EY?+ "R
AWAY4
  ,I H NO PATI;E4

  ,&A "PIAL LI/ ( MY SOLU;NS3

  ,I H 6REMA9 CALM4
  ,I H 6REMA9 /1DFA/4
  ,I H 6MA9TA9 A K9D & G5TLE EXPRES.N ON
MY FACE L ,AUNTIE ,OIMA4
  ,I H 6SMILE M4
  ,I H 6BE PROFES.NAL4 ,T M1NS ,I H 6AT-
T5D M OZASHIKI ?AN ANY"O ELSE4 ,I M/ N"E
REFUSE A RES]V,N4 ,I H 6TAKE MY JOB S]I-
\SLY & D X WELL4
  ,I H 6BE ,NUMB] ,"O4

  ,BASIC,Y1 ? 2CAME MY CRE$4
  ,I 0 FIFTE54                      #BCF